Leaders in Motion - How Global Executives Reinvent Leadership in the Age of AI and Market Disruption

LYC Partners

Leaders in Motion is a strategic podcast for global executives, C-suite leaders, and transformation experts navigating career reinvention, AI disruption, and cross-border leadership in a rapidly changing world. Hosted by Kevin Hong, Partner of LYC Partners - a leading executive search and leadership advisory firm - and The Council, an exclusive peer network for senior leaders, the show brings real-world insights from those shaping the future of work. Each episode dives into the intersection of leadership, technology, and human adaptability, offering actionable strategies for leaders who want to stay relevant, resilient, and future-ready. What you’ll hear on Leaders in Motion : In-depth interviews with global CEOs, CHROs, board members, and transformation leaders who share their defining career moves, leadership philosophies, and lessons from uncertainty. Solo episodes where Kevin shares frameworks, market intelligence, and proven tools to help executives stress-test their careers, strengthen their visibility, and build long-term career insurance. Key topics covered : Executive career transformation & personal reinvention The rise of skills-based organizations and agile leadership models AI, automation, and the evolving role of the C-suite Global mobility & cross-cultural management Building influence, resilience, and board readiness The future of work in Asia and beyond 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter (https://lyc-partners.us22.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a6ba34d5d9e108df4fae223c8&id=a0961ca045)to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics we discussed today resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners (http://www.lyc-partners.ai/contact-us) to set up a consultation. Produced by Bonjour Podcast (https://www.bonjourpodcast.com/) (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

  1. 24. Fixing Your Sales System: ICP Execution Gaps, Qualification Discipline, and Revenue Coaching with Romka Walkowiak

    2 DAYS AGO

    24. Fixing Your Sales System: ICP Execution Gaps, Qualification Discipline, and Revenue Coaching with Romka Walkowiak

    "The truth is that if the sales system that supports go-to-market is broken, the go-to-market strategy is not going to work." Romka, Managing Director of GrowWise Solutions, she helps founders and CEOs architect their revenue engines for maximum year-over-year growth. Based in Singapore, Romka works across SME, mid-market, and enterprise organizations — and consistently sees the same blind spot at every level. As head of GrowWise Solutions, Romka has built a practice around diagnosing and rebuilding sales execution systems — moving organizations from spray-and-pray selling to structured, evidence-based revenue growth. The work spans ICP operationalization, pipeline discipline, CRM visibility, and frontline coaching. In this episode: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗧𝗠 𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 — Why most revenue problems are execution failures, not strategy failures 𝗜𝗖𝗣 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝗽𝘀 — The difference between having an ICP on paper and operationalizing it in the field 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 — Why targeting one contact per account is a red flag (average buying decisions involve 9 people) 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 — Qualifying deals out is as important as qualifying them in 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 — How ICP clarity eliminates discount-driven conversations 𝗖𝗥𝗠 & 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 — Using hard data to find winning patterns instead of relying on gut 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 — Why "what gets inspected gets respected" defines frontline behavior 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 — Why structure and creativity are not mutually exclusive in sales Essential listening for founders, CEOs, CROs, and sales leaders who suspect their revenue engine needs more than a strategy refresh — and want a practical system to fix it. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    44 min
  2. 23. From Dubai to Shanghai: Leading Through Volatility with Sonia Benjelloun Carpentier

    1 MAY

    23. From Dubai to Shanghai: Leading Through Volatility with Sonia Benjelloun Carpentier

    “You cannot know China until you live in China.” Sonia Benjelloun-Carpentier, Managing Director of Piaget China, has spent two decades across hard luxury—from Tag Heuer to De Beers, Cartier, Bulgari, and now Piaget—leading brands through complex markets where culture, consumer psychology, and timing decide everything. Sonia’s career arc is a study in mobility and reinvention: born and raised in Morocco, trained in Paris, early marketing foundation at L’Oréal, then a jump into watchmaking and jewelry in Dubai. From there she built retail and high-jewelry depth in London and Paris, returned to the Middle East to lead marketing and communications, then stepped into full P&L leadership—first as Managing Director for Middle East, India and Africa, and since 2022 as MD for mainland China, arriving at the height of uncertainty. In this episode: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 — why moving early builds cultural agility that compounds for life 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 — leading in markets where meaning sits between the lines 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 vs 𝗨𝗞 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗷𝗼𝗹𝘁 — how “close” markets can still work very differently 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗗 — the left-brain / right-brain shift, and the non‑negotiable link between brand and sales 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 — why the deal often closes after the meeting, not in it 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 — COVID, reopening whiplash, real estate shock, and confidence cycles 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗹𝘂𝘅𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 — Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and how one brand speaks to all 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 — what surprised her about China, and what “having women at the table” looks like in practice If you lead a business across borders—or you’re trying to translate a market’s real dynamics back to headquarters—this conversation is a practical guide to operating with humility, speed, and clarity. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    40 min
  3. 22. From Dot-Com Disruption to AI Utility: Cybersecurity Shifts, Rural TB Screening, and The Happiness Index with Karthik Tirupathi

    24 APR

    22. From Dot-Com Disruption to AI Utility: Cybersecurity Shifts, Rural TB Screening, and The Happiness Index with Karthik Tirupathi

    “AI will become like internet. Everyone in every business will have to use AI just like the way we use electricity or we use water. It will become a utility.” Karthik Tirupathi, CEO and senior board executive in Healthcare IT, shares an operator’s view on how leaders can navigate disruption across markets and technology cycles. Karthik’s journey runs from early enterprise tech (including SAP and HP) to a decade as an entrepreneur building an education business preparing IT talent for Japan, to leading a healthcare software platform company through cybersecurity shocks and the early AI wave. Today, he works in board and advisory roles tied to AI-driven public health initiatives, with a focus on last-mile access. In this episode: 𝗔𝗜 𝗔𝘀 𝗔 𝗨𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 — Why Karthik believes the hype and fear cycles eventually normalize into operational necessity. 𝗗𝗼𝘁-𝗖𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 — How the internet boom separated “PowerPoint + homepage” businesses from real value creation. 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝗫 — How post-COVID threat surfaces reshaped product and enterprise security expectations. 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗩𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀 — Why leaders must keep “eyes on the horizon” and build ongoing evaluation capability. 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗮𝘀 — How data access disadvantages smaller countries and parts of the global south in AI adoption. 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁-𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 — Portable X-ray + cloud + AI workflows that bring respiratory screening to rural communities. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘅 — A talent-first system that reduced leadership attrition and strengthened internal promotion. 𝗨𝗽𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝗚𝗲𝗻 — Why breadth and soft skills now differentiate early-career talent. This episode is for cross-border leaders, APAC executives, and board-level operators who want an on-the-ground view of how tech disruption reshapes decision rights, talent strategy, and healthcare access. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    43 min
  4. 21. From France to China’s Industrial Engine Room: Manufacturing Turnarounds, HQ–Local Friction, and Competing on Speed with Laurent Scarato

    17 APR

    21. From France to China’s Industrial Engine Room: Manufacturing Turnarounds, HQ–Local Friction, and Competing on Speed with Laurent Scarato

    “China is a fast train — and if you step off, you risk becoming obsolete.” Laurent Scarato, a French manufacturing executive who has spent nearly two decades building and transforming industrial operations across China, on why long-term relevance in industry increasingly depends on how quickly you can learn, adapt, and execute in the world’s most demanding operating environment. Laurent’s path is unusually grounded in the factory reality: starting out far from the usual expat circuit in Shandong, taking roles he felt “undersized” for, leading equipment transfers from France to China, and then becoming the first employee on the ground for a greenfield factory build in Suzhou — which he scaled and led for 14 years. He later navigated a major acquisition to move a business from purely mechanical manufacturing into electromechanical capability, and led a factory relocation near Ningbo to access a stronger talent pool. In this episode: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 “𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴”: choosing to stay, learn the language, and operate inside the system 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲: what it takes to build a factory from scratch and grow it over a decade 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁: integrating a local business and upgrading capabilities without forcing a rigid “Western” model 𝗛𝗤–𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: why legacy assumptions, slow decision cycles, and “we’ve always done it this way” break down in China 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸: the operating principles Laurent believes are non-negotiable to compete — and why “cheap” is often a misunderstanding of value 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: reconnecting with roots in France, then choosing to return to China after realizing where the future-facing momentum is If you lead manufacturing, run China operations, or sit between global HQ logic and local execution reality, this conversation is a candid look at what long-term industrial leadership in China actually demands. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    47 min
  5. 20. From Belgium to APAC’s Operations Frontline: Scaling Execution, PMO Transformation, and Payments & Fraud with Yvan Gilliard

    10 APR

    20. From Belgium to APAC’s Operations Frontline: Scaling Execution, PMO Transformation, and Payments & Fraud with Yvan Gilliard

    “Execution is where most change programs die.” Yvan Gilliard, a transformation and operations leader who has spent 17 years building (and rebuilding) the systems that make large organizations run, on what separates strategy-on-paper from operational change that actually survives contact with reality. Yvan’s career is a rare blend of consulting rigor and operator instincts: starting in supply chain and strategy at Deloitte, then running 24/7 service logistics in Europe, stepping into corporate PMO and integration work, and later moving to the US to help scale e-commerce logistics at speed. At Radial, Yvan led high-pressure growth and transformation efforts, including opening multiple distribution centers, onboarding dozens of new brands, and later rebuilding a payments and fraud business by leaning into expertise, asking “why” relentlessly, and sharpening the value proposition. In this episode: Trust as a career accelerator: why senior sponsorship and “character” often matter more than a perfect resume Scaling under pressure: opening 3 distribution centers and onboarding ~30 brands in 6 months, with minimal resources Turning tribal knowledge into playbooks: how to document expertise without triggering “you’re replacing me” defensiveness What it takes to build an enterprise PMO: unifying tools, standards, and leadership alignment across silos Payments and fraud as a strategic asset: why history, pattern recognition, and clear positioning still win in an AI era APAC reality checks: why scaling in Asia is different, and how to choose the right first market “one bite at a time” Leadership shifts in the next generation: rewards, expectations, work-life balance, and what “trust the process” means now If you lead transformation, run operations, or sit between strategy and execution, this conversation will sharpen how you think about scaling teams, systems, and trust across markets. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    41 min
  6. 19. From Europe to Asia: Luxury Turnarounds, Cross-Cultural Leadership, and Making Clarity from Complexity with Francesco Pesci

    3 APR

    19. From Europe to Asia: Luxury Turnarounds, Cross-Cultural Leadership, and Making Clarity from Complexity with Francesco Pesci

    “Leadership is making clarity out of complexity.” Francesco Pesci, a luxury executive with 30+ years of experience across Italy, France, Denmark, and Japan, joins Kevin Hong to unpack what it takes to lead across cultures, turn around heritage brands, and build organizations that can win internationally without forcing one leadership style everywhere. Francesco’s career spans Brioni (including its acquisition by Kering), Damiani Japan, CEO roles driving transformation and profitability, and leading Danish heritage house Georg Jensen through a digital acceleration during the pandemic. Most recently, he served as Managing Director at Lancel in Paris. Across these roles, one message stays consistent: global leadership is not about having the “right” playbook. It is about adaptation, trust, and execution. In this episode: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟯 pivotal career transitions that shaped Francesco’s leadership: early immersion in Japan, the leap from sales into a CEO role, and the cultural reset of leading in Scandinavia 𝗪𝗵𝘆 sales experience can create stronger CEOs: learning the customer, but also learning how the full organization works end-to-end 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 across cultures: how hierarchy, transparency, and feedback norms vary widely by country 𝗛𝗼𝘄 to get real feedback from teams: and why the “right” forum for pushback differs by culture 𝗧𝗵𝗲 HQ vs local challenge: why global teams resist complexity, and what leaders can do to build alignment without forcing uniformity 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 in luxury today: credibility, pricing discipline, internal culture, and why brands must be consistent inside and out 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 advice for future leaders: adaptability, in-person networks, and patience in an industry that looks glamorous but demands serious craft If you lead across borders, manage teams across cultures, or want a clearer view of what global leadership looks like in real life, this conversation is a practical masterclass in how experienced executives think, decide, and adapt. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    43 min
  7. 18. Building Trust and Performance in China’s Factories, Dr. Guido Maune, Managing Director Maersk

    27 MAR

    18. Building Trust and Performance in China’s Factories, Dr. Guido Maune, Managing Director Maersk

    “China is not difficult to understand — it is difficult to lead in if you try to run it on titles and slide decks instead of trust, relationships, and speed.” — Dr. Guido Maune, Managing Director of Maersk Container Industry in Qingdao, on why Western companies keep misreading China: not because the market is “hard,” but because relationships, speed, and customer-first execution matter more than titles, playbooks, or product perfection. In this episode: • 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱: trust in China is built through relationships, not just competence, credentials, or org charts • 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: from copying to improving to leading in areas like battery tech, AI, and manufacturing execution — and what Europe gets wrong about “how that happened” • 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘃𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀: why “best engineering” can still lose if you miss the features customers actually value (and how this shows up in automotive) • 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: why “de-risking” to Vietnam or elsewhere often fails without supplier density, and why China’s infrastructure still changes the cost-quality equation • 𝗛𝗤–𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: the paradox of directness, why bad news gets suppressed, and practical tactics to communicate hard truths with facts, humor, and solutions • 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲: lowering power distance, getting “hands dirty,” building psychological safety, and creating a culture where people speak up • 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻𝘀: why many Chinese companies will accept 2–4 years of losses to win a market, and why European firms struggle with that patience model • 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: why the best local leaders leave slow-moving Western orgs, and what HQ must change (cadence, visits, response time, decision rights) to keep them If you lead across borders, manage China operations, or sit between HQ intent and local execution, this conversation will sharpen how you think about trust, speed, and leadership culture in China. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    33 min
  8. 17. From Italy to China’s Auto Frontline: EV Acceleration, Consumer Experience Shifts, and Bridging HQ vs Local with Pierluigi Visotti

    20 MAR

    17. From Italy to China’s Auto Frontline: EV Acceleration, Consumer Experience Shifts, and Bridging HQ vs Local with Pierluigi Visotti

    “China is not just the biggest auto market. It is where the industry’s pace, consumer expectations, and innovation frontier are being reset.” In this episode of Leaders in Motion, Kevin Hong sits down with Pierluigi Visotti, Managing Director and Founder of Ulysses, to unpack what China’s automotive acceleration means for Western OEMs, and what cross-border leadership really requires when the market moves faster than headquarters can process. Pierluigi shares his journey from Italy to nearly a decade in China, the early misconceptions he had to unlearn, and the on-the-ground signals many global teams missed, even while being present in-market. In this episode: • Why China’s EV rise became a true turning point, and what it did (and did not) solve for profitability • The real reason Western OEMs missed the shift: culture, attention, and disconnected HQ–China operating models • What “new generation” consumers actually want: experience, digital continuity, and a car that behaves more like a device than a machine • Why copying China will not work, and why the only sustainable response is innovation rooted in local consumer truth • The leadership model that scales across borders: mixing teams, rotating talent, and building real decision flow between HQ and region • Luxury auto’s durable edge, and the new pressure coming from “premium at an affordable price” players If you lead across regions, build in China, or compete with China-driven innovation at home, this conversation will sharpen how you think about speed, strategy, and operating reality. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    42 min

Trailer

About

Leaders in Motion is a strategic podcast for global executives, C-suite leaders, and transformation experts navigating career reinvention, AI disruption, and cross-border leadership in a rapidly changing world. Hosted by Kevin Hong, Partner of LYC Partners - a leading executive search and leadership advisory firm - and The Council, an exclusive peer network for senior leaders, the show brings real-world insights from those shaping the future of work. Each episode dives into the intersection of leadership, technology, and human adaptability, offering actionable strategies for leaders who want to stay relevant, resilient, and future-ready. What you’ll hear on Leaders in Motion : In-depth interviews with global CEOs, CHROs, board members, and transformation leaders who share their defining career moves, leadership philosophies, and lessons from uncertainty. Solo episodes where Kevin shares frameworks, market intelligence, and proven tools to help executives stress-test their careers, strengthen their visibility, and build long-term career insurance. Key topics covered : Executive career transformation & personal reinvention The rise of skills-based organizations and agile leadership models AI, automation, and the evolving role of the C-suite Global mobility & cross-cultural management Building influence, resilience, and board readiness The future of work in Asia and beyond 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter (https://lyc-partners.us22.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a6ba34d5d9e108df4fae223c8&id=a0961ca045)to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics we discussed today resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners (http://www.lyc-partners.ai/contact-us) to set up a consultation. Produced by Bonjour Podcast (https://www.bonjourpodcast.com/) (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.