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

180 - How to Lead Like You Mean It, Building Integrity and Purpose from the C-Suite with Laysha Ward

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 Leader Show, host Andrea Petrone sits down with Laysha Ward, a respected corporate leader with over 30 years of experience. She spent the majority of her career at Target Corporation, where she served as Strategic Advisor, Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer, shaping the company’s stakeholder relations and community impact strategies.
Currently, Laysha serves on the Board Member for United Airlines Holdings, Denny’s Corporation, Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) and Minnesota Orchestra, bringing her leadership expertise to industries spanning aviation, hospitality, and the arts.
In this conversation, she shares her journey from growing up in a small town to becoming a top corporate executive. She discusses how leaders can stay authentic, build trust, and lead through uncertainty, while also emphasizing the importance of relationships and personal purpose in long-term success.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why personal purpose is critical for leadership success.
The role of trust and integrity in high-performance leadership.
How to lead through uncertainty with clarity and confidence.
Why nurturing meaningful relationships is key to long-term success.
How to create your own personal board of advisors for growth and resilience.
Follow Our Guest Laysha Ward:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laysha-ward/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laysha.ward/?hl=en Twitter: https://x.com/layshaward Website: https://www.layshaward.com/ Book: https://www.layshaward.com/book-lead-like-you-mean-it United Airlines: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-airlines/Denny’s: https://www.linkedin.com/company/denny's/ Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ): https://www.linkedin.com/company/nazmpls/ Minnesota Orchestra: https://www.linkedin.com/company/minnorch/ 
 
Get your copy of Lead Like You Mean It by Laysha Ward and learn how to lead with purpose and integrity. Visit http://layshaward.com/book-lead-like-you-mean-it to find out more!
 
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
⭐ Join us for this powerful conversation on leadership, purpose, and making an impact.
#Leadership #Integrity #Purpose #Trust #CareerGrowth #C-SuiteLeadership #BusinessSuccess

179 - CEOs: Your Biggest Challenge Isn’t the Market—It’s Your Mindset

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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Many CEOs today feel trapped—markets are unpredictable, AI is reshaping industries, and the pressure to perform has never been higher.
But here’s the real challenge:
It’s not just external forces holding leaders back—it’s their own perception of those forces.
If you believe the market is too tough, that growth is impossible, or that pressure is crushing, you’ll lead accordingly.
In this episode, I’ll show you how to shift your mindset, challenge your assumptions, and turn pressure into a competitive advantage.
 
- Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/
- Want to become a world-class leader? Join 72,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

178 - The CEO Playbook for Leading Change and Overcoming Resistance in 2025 with Nellie Wartoft

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 Leader Show, host Andrea Petrone welcomes Nellie Wartoft, a Swedish entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of Tiger Hall, A platform helping enterprises drive change more effectively. Backed by top investors like Sequoia Capital and Monk's Hill Ventures, Tiger Hall helps Fortune 500 companies drive large-scale transformation across 32 countries.
Nellie takes us through her journey from a top-performing consultant to launching Tiger Hall in 2019. She shares the struggles she saw in traditional corporate change efforts and why she set out to create a more engaging, people-focused way to drive transformation.
In this conversation, Andrea and Nellie break down what it really means to be a CEO today, why so many change initiatives fall flat, and how leaders can rethink their approach to make change stick. If you're leading an organization through transformation, this episode is packed with real-world insights on building trust, getting people on board, and leading with authenticity.
 
By the end of today’s episode, you’ll learn how to:
What it truly means to be a CEO in 2025 and the biggest misconceptions about the role.
How workplace change is evolving and why old methods fall short.
How Tiger Hall is helping companies navigate change with interactive and engaging solutions.
The importance of authenticity, transparency, and trust in leading change successfully.
How global leaders can drive change across different cultures and geographies.
 
Follow Our Guest Nellie Wartoft:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelliewartoft/Tiger Hall: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tigerhall/Email address: nellie@tigerhall.com 
 
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
 
⭐ Join us for an inspiring conversation with Nellie Wartoft, CEO of Tiger Hall, as she shares insights on modern leadership, driving organizational change, and building trust in a fast-evolving business world.
#TheWorldClassLeadersShow #Leadership #ChangeManagement #BusinessTransformation #TrustInLeadership #FutureOfWork

177 - Silos Are Killing Your Business—Here’s How to Break Them for Good

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 wants a high-performing, aligned organization.
Yet, in most companies, silos are everywhere—departments operate in isolation, teams protect their own priorities, and execution slows down.
Leaders assume this is a structural issue—that silos exist because of reporting lines, lack of collaboration tools, or unclear processes.
But here’s the truth:
Silos start in the mind before they show up in the business.
In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest barriers to execution and growth: silos.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated because your teams aren’t collaborating, your departments aren’t aligned, and information is stuck in one place, this episode is for you.
 
- Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/
- Want to become a world-class leader? Join 67,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

176 - The Leadership Strategy CEOs Use to Create Trust and High-Performing Teams with Cheryl Fields

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 Leader Show, host Andrea Petrone sits down with Cheryl Fields Tyler, Founder and CEO of Blue Beyond Consulting, to explore the leadership skills and mindset needed for 2025 and beyond.
With over 30 years of experience in building organizations where both businesses and people progress, Cheryl has been featured in CNBC, BBC, Fast Company, and Forbes.  In 2020, she received the For All Leader award from the Great Place to Work® Institute, and under her leadership, Blue Beyond has been repeatedly recognized as one of Fortune's Best Small-Medium Workplaces and an Inc. 5000 company.
Andrea and Cheryl talk about what makes great leadership today, the role of trust and accountability, and how leaders can navigate challenges while keeping their teams engaged. They also discuss effective communication, company culture, and resilience, providing practical strategies to help leaders and teams perform at their best.
If you're an executive, CEO, or business leader looking to strengthen your leadership, build trust, and drive high performance, this episode is a must-listen!
 
By the end of today’s episode, you’ll learn how to:
Lead with trust and high expectations to create a thriving workplace.
Communicate effectively as a CEO to align, motivate, and inspire your team.
Balance business growth and people-first leadership to build long-term success.
Foster a strong, supportive culture where employees can do their best work.
Adapt and thrive in uncertain times while staying true to your leadership values.
Follow Our Guest Cheryl Fields Tyler:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylfieldstyler/
Blue Beyond Consulting: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bluebeyondconsulting/
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
 
⭐ Join us for an inspiring conversation with Cheryl Fields Tyler, Founder and CEO of Blue Beyond Consulting, as she shares practical leadership insights on building trust, setting high expectations, and creating a workplace where both people and business thrive.
 
#TheWorldClassLeadersShow #Leadership #BusinessSuccess #TrustInLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipLessons
 

175 - The Real Reason Your People Aren't Taking Ownership

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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‘My people aren’t stepping up, so I have to be more directive. But when I do, they feel disempowered, and then I have to take even more control.’
I hear it all the time.
It’s a frustrating cycle. You want your team to take initiative, solve problems, and think independently.
But when they don’t, you feel like you have no choice but to step in. And the more you step in, the less they take ownership.
So how do you break this pattern? How do you lead in a way that empowers your people while ensuring accountability?
In this episode, I’ll unpack why this cycle happens, the leadership traps that cause it, and—most importantly—how to build a team that takes real ownership without having to micromanage.
- Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/
- Want to become a world-class leader? Join 64,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

174 - How to Lead Across Cultures—Lessons from a CEO Who Did It | Kenneth Wilcox

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 Leader Show, host Andrea Petrone sits down with Kenneth Wilcox, former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank and expert in global business leadership.
Ken shares his journey leading Silicon Valley Bank through a decade of transformation, expanding into China, and building a people-centric culture. Now a professor at UC Berkeley and author of Leading Through Culture and The China Business Conundrum, Ken offers deep insights into leadership, global expansion, and cross-cultural business strategies.
Andrea and Ken discuss the challenges of scaling a business globally, the leadership lessons learned from navigating different cultures, and how to build trust and adaptability in uncertain times. If you're a leader looking to expand internationally, manage cultural differences, or refine your leadership style, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.
 
By the end of today’s episode, you’ll learn how to:
Lead through transformation by learning how Ken Wilcox refocused and expanded Silicon Valley Bank.
Build a global mindset by adapting leadership to different cultures and markets.
Balance focus and flexibility to stay committed while adapting to change.
Develop strong business relationships by understanding trust, culture, and negotiation.
Avoid pitfalls in global expansion by learning what works and what doesn’t.
 
Follow Our Guest Kenneth Wilcox:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenwilcoxsvb/  
Silicon Valley Bank - Website: https://www.svb.com/ 
 
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
 
⭐ Join us for an insightful conversation with Kenneth Wilcox, former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank, as he shares leadership lessons on global expansion, cultural adaptability, and building trust in business.
 
#TheWorldClassLeadersShow #GlobalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #CrossCulturalLeadership #TrustInBusiness #LeadershipLessons

173: Why CEOs Feel Lonely: The Truth No One Talks About

Ready to connect with top CEOs, challenge your thinking, and gain game-changing insights?
Join WCL 21, an exclusive CEO roundtable where high-level executives come together to exchange powerful ideas, tackle real-world challenges, and build a trusted peer network that drives results.
Join now → https://wcl21.andreapetrone.com/
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Leadership can feel exhilarating, fulfilling, and meaningful. But let’s be honest—it can also feel lonely. And most leaders don’t talk about it.
The higher you climb, the fewer people you can truly confide in. The weight of decisions, the pressure to appear strong, and the isolation that comes with being responsible for others can take a serious toll.
Today, we’re breaking that silence.
I’ll explore why leadership can feel isolating, how that loneliness affects decision-making, and—most importantly—how to surround yourself with the right people to break free from it.
 
- Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/
- Want to become a world-class leader? Join 56,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

172 - The World Cup Playbook for Building Elite Teams and Thriving Under Pressure with Steve Tashjian

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-fullproof-ceo-strategies
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In this episode of The World Class Leader Show, host Andrea Petrone sits down with Steve Tashjian, founder of The Elevation Project and an expert in high performance.
Steve has worked with some of the world’s top athletes, including the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, PGA champions, and world title boxers. He has also coached business leaders, bringing his knowledge of building resilience, adaptability, and sustainable excellence into the corporate world.
Andrea and Steve discuss practical strategies for creating high-performing teams, finding balance, and turning pressure into a competitive advantage. Drawing on lessons from sports and business, this conversation offers valuable takeaways for leaders at every level looking to elevate their teams and themselves.
 
By the end of today’s episode, you’ll learn how to:
Understand what it truly means to achieve high performance in any environment.
Build teams that stay resilient and perform well under pressure.
Recognize and address personal and organizational habits that hold you back.
Create clear systems and processes to handle challenges with confidence.
Encourage collaboration and bring out the best in everyone on your team.
 
Follow Our Guest Steve Tashjian
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steve-tashjian-hpd/ 
The Elevation Project - Website: www.elevationprox.com/ 
 
Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone
Website: 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
 
⭐ Join us for an inspiring conversation with Steve Tashjian, founder of the Elevation Project, as he shares how to build high-performing teams and thrive under pressure.
 
#TheWorldClassLeadersShow #HighPerformance #LeadershipInsights #TeamBuilding #ThrivingUnderPressure #BusinessAndSports #EliteCoaching

171 - The 3 Leadership Skills Every Leader Must Master in 2025

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-fullproof-ceo-strategies
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What sets great leaders apart in this rapidly evolving world?
It’s not about doing more—it’s about mastering the right skills.
In this article, I’ll explore the three critical skills that every leader must master in 2025.
They’re the foundation of leadership in an uncertain and fast-paced world.
But here’s the key: none of these skills are innate.
They can be learned, refined, and mastered with intentionality and practice.
So, as you think about the year ahead, ask yourself:
Which of these skills do I need to work on?
How can I challenge myself to lead better, connect deeper, and drive greater impact?
- Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/
- Want to become a world-class leader? Join 56,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/