The World Class Leaders Show: Master High-Stakes Leadership: Learn from Top CEOs and World-Renowned Leaders

193 - AI Isn’t Killing Jobs. CEOs Are.

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO?Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download Now
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Across boardrooms and newsfeeds, a dangerous new leadership tactic is emerging.
Executives are using AI not to transform—but to terrify.
Headlines from the likes of Amazon, JPMorgan, and Shopify paint a clear picture: AI is being weaponized as a justification for layoffs, a threat to productivity, and a warning to employees.
In this solo episode, you'll discover:
How top companies are using AI rhetoric to justify layoffs
Why fear-based leadership is damaging long-term performance
The real cost of weaponizing technology in the workplace
What forward-thinking CEOs are doing instead to empower people
A leadership checklist for adopting AI the right way
 
- Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/
- Want to become a world-class leader? Join 105,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

192 - What the World’s Top HR Experts Want Every CEO to Hear Right Now

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO?Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” and start leading with confidence today!
👉 Download Now - https://bit.ly/10-foolproof-ceo-strategies
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In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone is joined by three distinguished leaders in the field of human resources: 
Dave Ulrich, Rensis Likert Professor at  University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business, and partner at The RBL Group is a globally recognized HR & Leadership expert.  Known as "the father of modern HR," Dave has authored over 30 books and advised leaders from Fortune 200 companies in 90 countries.
Patrick Wright is Associate Dean for Corporate Relations and holds the Thomas C. Vandiver Bicentennial Chair in Business at the University of South Carolina, Darla Moore School of Business. He is Founder & former Director of the Center for Executive Succession and an expert in Strategic HR Management, focusing on competitive advantage, CEO succession, & the CHRO role. A widely cited USC scholar, he is a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources & Academy of Management and has been recognized as one of HR’s most influential thought leaders & has received multiple career achievement awards.
Dick Beatty, Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University and core faculty at the University of Michigan’s Executive Education Center, directs the Executive Master’s in HR Leadership programs at Rutgers University & Bocconi University in Milan. Dick is an expert in strategic talent management, HR measurement, and organizational change. He holds a B.A. from Hanover College, an M.B.A. from Emory University, and a Ph.D. from Washington University.
Dick has received two Research Awards from the Human Resource Planning Society and served on editorial boards of top HR journals. He teaches in executive programs at Cornell, Michigan, Pittsburgh, and Wharton, & has consulted widely. He is a member of several HR and psychology associations & a former SHRM Foundation board member.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The evolving role of HR leadership in driving business success.
Using HR to build talent and organizational strength for a market edge.
Challenges HR leaders face in aligning culture, leadership strategy.
The future of HR amid AI, tariffs, and global market changes.
A global program to develop HR professionals into strategic leaders.
📢 Ready to elevate your HR leadership? 
Join the Global Human Resources Leadership Experience from October 28th to November 4th. The program guides HR leaders through global markets and leadership transitions. For further details, visit: https://www.mooreexeced.com/ghrle-program/
Episode Highlights:
[00:00] - Teaser & Introduction of Guests[04:26] - The Evolving Role of HR[08:58] - HR Leaders: Driving Business Outcomes[10:45] - Strategic Value of HR[16:33] - AI and Global Market Challenges[21:10] - The Future of Leadership & HR[29:59] - 3 things that drive the success of an organization[32:34] - Cultivating a Strong HR Function[34:17] - Shifting the CEO - HR Conversation[40:30] - The Role of HR in CEO Transitions[45:06] - Global Human Resources Leadership Experience Program[50:01] - Closing Thoughts
Follow Our Guests:
Dave Ulrich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveulrichpro/ 
Patrick Wright: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-wright-a4668483/ 
Dick Beatty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dick-beatty-68818625/ https://www.rbl.net/about-us/consulting-associates/dick 
The RBL Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rbl-group/ / https://www.rbl.net/
University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business: https://www.linkedin.com/school/michiganross/
University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-south-carolina---darla-moore-school-of-business/ 
Center for Executive Succession: https://www.linkedin.com/company/centerforexecutivesuccession/
Rutgers University: https://www.linkedin.com/school/rutgersu/
Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone
Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/
Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated:
Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7
Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/
Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/podcast/
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl
Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ
⭐ Listen now to explore how HR can move beyond admin tasks to influence strategy, shape culture, and support long-term success!
#HRTransformation #StrategicHR #CEOLeadership #TalentManagement #OrganizationalDevelopment #FutureofHR #DaveUlrich #PatrickWright #DickBeatty #WorldClassLeadersShow

191 - If You Want to Change Culture, Start With the Way You Speak

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO?Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download Now
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Culture isn’t built in workshops or written in handbooks.
It’s shaped by the words leaders use every single day.
In this episode, I’ll show you how your communication either reinforces the past—or rewires your team for what’s next.
- Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/
- Want to become a world-class leader? Join 105,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

190 - Scaling Shouldn’t Feel This Hard—Here’s Why It Does with Katy Trost

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO?Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” and start leading with confidence today!
👉 Download Now - https://bit.ly/10-foolproof-ceo-strategies
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In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone sits down with Katy Trost , a top-tier coach and trusted advisor to tech CEOs in London and New York. Katy specializes in helping CEOs scale their leadership, build strong executive teams, and lead with clarity through complexity.
Katy is the Founder of PeraCEOs, a private CEO network, and serves as CEO Coach/Partner at Octopus Coaching Hub for Octopus Ventures. Katy is also a Judge and CEO Coach/Advisor Future Fifty & Upscale Program at Tech Nation, and Lead Startup Mentor HAE Accelerator at Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs.
Her work extends to mentoring at Founders Forum Group, serving as an Advisory Board Member at Trilvee, and supporting leaders as Coach and Facilitator at Hampton. She also holds roles as a Global Advisory Board Member at Virtual Advisory Board (VAB) and CEO Coach/Advisor at Prismaticco. Katy offers grounded and practical advice on how to evolve leadership through the stages of scale & how to avoid common traps.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why transitioning from founder to CEO requires a shift in mindset, not just skills
The importance of building a strong executive team & how to actually do it
How to delegate effectively without losing control
Ways to preserve company culture while scaling fast
The habits CEOs need to stay grounded, focused, & energized under pressure
Episode Highlights:
[00:00] - Teaser & Introduction of Katy Trost[02:35] - What it means to be a CEO in today’s fast-moving environment[05:32] - The mindset shift from founder to CEO[08:07] - Why building an executive team changes everything[11:09] - Letting go: What’s really needed to delegate powerfully[17:24] - Balancing autonomy and accountability in leadership teams[22:08] - Why CEOs often fail to prioritize executive team development[27:27] - Evolving company culture without losing your core values[32:10] - How top CEOs manage pressure, burnout, and mental health[37:26] - Why CEO networks matter and how they combat isolation[39:56] - Do CEOs still resist working with coaches?
Follow Our Guest Katy Trost:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katytrost/ 
Website: https://katytrost.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katy_trost/
PeraCEOs: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinpera/ 
Octopus Ventures: https://www.linkedin.com/company/octopus-ventures/ 
Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone
Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/
Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated:
Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7
Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/
Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/podcast/
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl
Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ
⭐ If you're leading a fast-growing company and want to scale without burning out or losing your vision, this conversation with Katy Trost offers a practical roadmap for sustainable, high-impact leadership.
#Leadership #Startups #FounderToCEO #ExecutiveTeams #CompanyCulture #CEOCoach #KatyTrost #WorldClassLeadersShow

189 - How to Know When It’s Time to Reinvent Your Leadership

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO?Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download Now
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Every leader hits a moment when what used to work…suddenly doesn’t.
Growth slows.
Confidence dips.
The team feels misaligned.
This isn’t a failure—it’s a leadership crossroads.
In this episode, I’ll unpack why these moments define your impact more than any win—and how the best leaders rise, evolve, and lead through them with clarity.
- Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/
- Want to become a world-class leader? Join 90,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

188 - What If Everything About Modern Leadership Is Wrong with Gary Hamel

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO?Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” and start leading with confidence today!
👉 Download Now - https://bit.ly/10-foolproof-ceo-strategies
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In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone sits down with Gary Hamel, a legendary voice in modern management. They explore how leadership must evolve to keep up with today’s fast-changing world. Gary breaks down why many companies are stuck in outdated systems and what needs to change to create organizations that are quicker, bolder, and more people-driven.
Gary Hamel has been shaping the way the world thinks about strategy and innovation for decades. He’s a Visiting Professor and Faculty Member at London Business School and is the former Chairman of Strategos, a firm that helped companies rethink their strategy from the ground up. He’s the author of influential books like Humanocracy and The Future of Management.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why the classic “hero CEO” model doesn’t fit today’s challenges.
How companies can build real leadership at every level, not just at the top.
The hidden costs of bureaucracy and how to break free from it.
What it takes to create a culture of experimentation and continuous learning.
Why real change starts by questioning long-standing assumptions.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00] - Teaser & Introduction of Gary Hamel[02:51] - What it really means to be a CEO today[06:01] - CEOs as builders, not just decision-makers[06:52] - Why do many CEOs fall into short-term thinking?[11:49] - The pressure and complexity of leading today[20:14] - Preparing for a tougher, more uncertain future[23:03] - How old management models are holding companies back[32:00] - What modern leadership really looks like[37:16] - Why change needs small experiments, not big rollouts[39:58] - How to build support for real transformation[47:17] - Where to connect with Gary Hamel
Follow Our Guest Gary Hamel:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyhamel/
Website: https://www.garyhamel.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/profhamel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profhamel/  
Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone
Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/
Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated:
Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7
Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/
Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/podcast/
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl
Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ
⭐ If you’re a leader looking to challenge the status quo and build a stronger, more adaptable organization, this conversation with Gary Hamel is a must-listen.
#Leadership #Strategy #OrganizationalDesign #GaryHamel #WorldClassLeadersShow #Management #BusinessTransformation

187 - Dear CEOs: Stop Putting Out Fires - Start Fixing the System

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO?Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download Now
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You’re making moves, launching initiatives, adjusting strategy—but nothing seems to create real traction.
It’s frustrating. And exhausting.
The truth? You’re solving surface-level symptoms—when the real issue lies deeper, in how you lead, align, and communicate as a leadership team.
Today, I want to help you identify the root cause—and show you a better way forward.
- Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/
- Want to become a world-class leader? Join 90,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

186 - How Microsoft Fixed Vision & Aligned Strategy with People to Restructure a $5.5B Unit - Libby Wright

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO?Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” and start leading with confidence today!
👉 Download Now - https://bit.ly/10-foolproof-ceo-strategies
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In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone sits down with Libby Saylor Wright, Chief Operating Officer, US Retail and Consumer Goods at Microsoft. Before joining Microsoft, she served as Member of Chief, COO at the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF)  and spent 13 years at The Coca-Cola Company in a variety of leadership roles. 
She's a passionate advocate for people-centered leadership and equity in the workplace, with experience advising boards and organizations on inclusion and organizational development. This conversation covers the real challenges of leading in complex, fast-moving organizations and how Libby has leaned on people, strategy, and shared vision to drive meaningful change.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How to design a change strategy that your whole organization can believe in.
Why culture and people matter just as much as performance metrics.
How to handle change fatigue and keep teams aligned around a common vision.
What inclusive leadership really looks like and why it takes courage.
How defining your “why” can anchor both personal and professional decisions.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00] - Teaser & Introduction of Libby Saylor Wright[03:03] - Rethinking leadership today[05:52] - Career reflections: from Coca-Cola to Microsoft[09:25] - Putting people and culture at the center[12:32] - Building a new vision for change[16:11] - Making change stick across the organization[22:33] - Challenges in execution and prioritization[30:11] - Driving DEI through action, not just talk[31:12] - Where companies are falling short on inclusion[40:05] - Advice for leaders driving transformation[43:31] - Where to find Libby
Follow Our Guest:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbyswright/ 
Microsoft: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft/ 
Chief: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinchief/ 
Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF): https://www.linkedin.com/company/womensfoodserviceforum/
The Coca-Cola Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company/
Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone
Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/
Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated:
Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7
Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/
Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/podcast/
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl
Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ
⭐ Don’t miss this powerful and personal conversation about leading with clarity, building culture from the inside out, and using your voice to drive real change.
#Leadership #OrganizationalTransformation #CultureMatters #PeopleFirst #WorldClassLeadersShow #DiversityAndInclusion #ChangeLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #Microsoft #VisionForChange

185 - Rebuilding From the Ashes: Leadership Lessons from a Resilient Founder

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO?Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download Now
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What do you do when everything you built starts to crumble?
For many leaders, the instinct is to protect, defend, or deny.
But for true founders and CEOs like Andrew Spira, adversity isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning of reinvention.
In our latest conversation, Andrew—CEO of Skycap and serial fintech entrepreneur—shared an unfiltered view into what it really means to lead through massive failure, painful pivoting, and personal resilience.
 
- Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/
- Want to become a world-class leader? Join 90,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

184 - AI Powered Workforce Strategies for CEOs to Lead Organizational Transformation with Heather Jerrehian

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO?Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” and start leading with confidence today!
👉 Download Now - https://bit.ly/10-foolproof-ceo-strategies
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In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone sits down with Heather Jerrehian, a serial entrepreneur and tech executive with over two decades of experience in business scaling. She currently serves as Vice President of AI Product Management at ServiceNow, where she leads the development of next-generation products focused on workforce intelligence. Heather is the co-author of the book Sail to Scale, a practical guide for startup founders navigating the road from launch to exit.
She is also a Founding Limited Partner and Fund Advisor at How Women Invest, championing female leadership in venture capital. Additionally, she contributes her expertise as an Executive Board Member of the Fast Company Executive Board. Her extensive leadership background includes high-growth turnarounds, product development and multiple successful exits.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why technology is not just a business initiative but a leadership focus.
The biggest misconceptions leaders have about integrating new technologies.
How to adopt the Four-Dimensional Workforce model for workforce planning.
What kind of leadership is required in a technology-driven era.
How CEOs can foster fluency and agility across their organizations.
Follow Our Guest:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherjerrehian/ 
ServiceNow: https://www.servicenow.com/events/speakers/heather-jerrehian.html 
How Women Invest: https://www.linkedin.com/company/howwomeninvest/
Fast Company Executive Board: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fastcoboard/
📘 Want to future-proof your startup?
Get your copy of Sail to Scale by Heather Jerrehian: A practical guide to help founders scale smart and avoid common startup pitfalls.
👉 Visit SailToScale.com to learn more and order your copy.
Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone
Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/
Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated:
Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7
Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/
Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/podcast/
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl
Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ
⭐ Don’t miss this timely and practical conversation about embracing AI with courage, empathy, and strategic foresight.
#Leadership #AI #FutureOfWork #DigitalTransformation #WorkforceStrategy #WorldClassLeadersShow