Portfolio Executive Podcast

Charles McLachlan
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What if the future of leadership isn’t full-time—and the most valuable executives are those who work fractionally across multiple businesses? With a host of special guests, presenters Valerie Merrill and Gareth Wax explore the world of portfolio executives, fractional leadership, and creating careers out of that. You will discover what makes the portfolio executive community so unique, from its diverse, global network of talent to the powerful blend of skills and perspectives its members bring. Explore the portfolio executive community, learn how to step into fractional leadership, and stay tuned for more insights in upcoming episodes. Follow us to find out more, and join us on LinkedIn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. Portfolio Executive Podcast Episode 3: Growing Pains

    18 Jun

    Portfolio Executive Podcast Episode 3: Growing Pains

    Are you accidentally holding your own business back as it grows?   What if the very skills that made your business successful are now the thing preventing it from scaling?   In this episode of the ‘Portfolio Executive’ Gareth Wax, Valerie Merrill, and guest David Parry unpack the growth paradox—why being great at what you do isn’t always enough to take your business to the next level.   They explore the limits of founder intuition, the critical role of systems and processes, and how to build a business that can grow beyond you. If you’re feeling the strain of scaling or noticing cracks as your business expands, this conversation is packed with practical insight.   You’ll discover: •  When founder intuition becomes a limitation •  Why systems and processes drive sustainable growth •  How to create alignment through shared purpose •  Practical ways to overcome resistance to structure •  How to balance passion with process   TimeStamps 00:00 Introduction to Growing Pains and the Portfolio Executive 01:12 What is Growing Pains and Why It Matters 02:17 When Does Founder Intuition Stop Being Enough? 03:38 Supporting the Founder as Business Grows 04:40 Recognising the Signs of Scaling Challenges 05:41 The Importance of Documented Processes 06:56 Creating a Shared Vision and Growth Plan 08:30 The Role of Systems and Processes in Scaling 10:11 Overcoming Resistance to Process Implementation 12:30 Case Study: Scaling a Distribution Network 14:14 Balancing Passion and Systematisation 14:57 The Impact of Team Alignment and Culture 18:48 Bridging the Gap Between Purpose and Growth 20:00 Advice for Founders on Scaling Strategies   Guest & Host Links: David Parry: https://portfolioexecutive.biz/executive/david-parry/ Valerie Merrill: https://portfolioexecutive.biz/executive/valerie-merrill/ Gareth Wax: https://portfolioexecutive.biz/executive/gareth-wax/   Explore the Portfolio Executive community, learn how to step into fractional leadership, and stay tuned for more insights in upcoming episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  2. Portfolio Executive Podcast Episode 2: Leading Through Chaos

    16 Jun

    Portfolio Executive Podcast Episode 2: Leading Through Chaos

    What if chaos isn’t something to survive—but something you can lead through and win? In this episode of the ‘Portfolio Executive’ hosts Gareth Wax and Valerie Merrill chat with Tom O’Kelly and Andrew Stickland diving into the art of leading when everything feels uncertain. From navigating fast-moving challenges to making clear, confident decisions under pressure, our experts unpack what it really takes to stay steady in turbulent times. You’ll discover: •Why staying calm and focusing on what doesn’t change is your biggest advantage •How small, decisive steps can cut through uncertainty •The importance of creating a safe space for honest, transparent conversations •When to limit change to avoid overwhelm and decision paralysis •How to reframe chaos as a catalyst for growth and innovation TimeStamps 00:00 – Introduction: What Does It Mean to Lead Through Chaos? 01:56 – Understanding Chaos: When and Why It Happens 03:48 – Clarity in Crisis: The Power of Small Steps 05:23 – Fail Fast, Learn Faster: Adapting on the Go 07:29 – Building Trust: Creating Space for Honest Dialogue 09:08 – Governance Matters: Tracking Decisions Effectively 11:20 – Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Overwhelm & Overthinking 13:02 – Visual Tools for Simplifying Complexity 15:14 – Balancing Risk and Growth in Uncertain Markets 15:58 – Spotting Opportunity in the Midst of Chaos Guest & Host Links: Tom O’Kelly: https://portfolioexecutive.biz/executive/tom-okelly/  Andrew Stickland: https://portfolioexecutive.biz/executive/andrew-stickland/  Valerie Merrill: https://portfolioexecutive.biz/executive/valerie-merrill/  Gareth Wax: https://portfolioexecutive.biz/executive/gareth-wax/  Explore the Portfolio Executive community, learn how to step into fractional leadership, and stay tuned for more insights in upcoming episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  3. Portfolio Executive Podcast Episode 1: AI Force for Good?

    16 Jun

    Portfolio Executive Podcast Episode 1: AI Force for Good?

    What if the biggest risk of AI isn’t what it can do—but how confidently it can be wrong? In this episode of the ‘Portfolio Executive’ hosts Gareth Wax and Valerie Merrill chat with Andrew Stickland and Robin Davis exploring how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the workplace, from boosting efficiency to introducing new risks that professionals can’t afford to ignore. They break down the realities of working with AI today—covering prompt engineering, accuracy challenges, ethical concerns, and the evolving role of creativity in an AI-driven world. You’ll discover: •Why prompt engineering is quickly becoming a critical career skill •How and why AI “hallucinates”—and what that means for your work •Practical ways to validate and verify AI-generated outputs •The hidden risks of using AI without proper governance or guardrails •How deepfakes and AI-generated content are reshaping trust •The balance between AI automation and human creativity •How professionals can leverage AI to enhance—not replace—their work TimeStamps 00:00 – Introduction to AI and the Panel 01:09 – How Experts Use AI in Their Work 01:52 – The Art & Science of Prompt Engineering 02:59 – AI Challenges: Inconsistency & Cognitive Drift 03:58 – AI Hallucinations and Accuracy Risks 05:07 – Why Validation Matters 06:05 – Legal and Ethical Concerns 07:17 – Should AI Be Regulated? 08:10 – Training Users to Think Critically 08:56 – Governance and Ethical Guardrails 10:02 – Shadow AI and Lack of Oversight 11:10 – Deepfakes and AI Misinformation 11:41 – AI’s Impact on Art and Creativity 12:42 – AI as a Creative Tool 13:27 – Enhancing Creativity with AI 15:00 – The Rise of Prompt Engineering Careers Guest & Host Links: Robin Davis: https://portfolioexecutive.biz/executive/robin-davis/ Andrew Stickland: https://portfolioexecutive.biz/executive/andrew-stickland/  Valerie Merrill: https://portfolioexecutive.biz/executive/valerie-merrill/  Gareth Wax: https://portfolioexecutive.biz/executive/gareth-wax/   Explore the portfolio executive community, learn how to step into fractional leadership, and stay tuned for more insights in upcoming episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 min
  4. Introduction to the Portfolio Executive podcast

    11 Jun

    Introduction to the Portfolio Executive podcast

    This is the introduction to the Portfolio Executive podcast. Featuring Gareth Wax, Valerie Merrill and Charles McLachlan. You can find more information here: https://portfolioexecutive.biz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    6 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

What if the future of leadership isn’t full-time—and the most valuable executives are those who work fractionally across multiple businesses? With a host of special guests, presenters Valerie Merrill and Gareth Wax explore the world of portfolio executives, fractional leadership, and creating careers out of that. You will discover what makes the portfolio executive community so unique, from its diverse, global network of talent to the powerful blend of skills and perspectives its members bring. Explore the portfolio executive community, learn how to step into fractional leadership, and stay tuned for more insights in upcoming episodes. Follow us to find out more, and join us on LinkedIn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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