The Strategic Leader

Gemma Bullivant and Fiona Craig
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The Strategic Leader is a podcast for busy leaders to learn how to be naturally strategic, so that you can operate with impact and sit at the top table with confidence, with clear and actionable tips to demystify strategy and help you to succeed. With your hosts Gemma Bullivant, Executive Coach and Strategic HR Consultant, and Fiona Craig, strategist, founder and coaching lead at Good Thinking.

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  1. EPISODE 1

    5.01 The Three Hats of Senior Leadership - do you wear all three?

    Getting a seat at the senior table is one thing. Knowing how to use it well is something else entirely. This series demystifies what senior leadership really involves, We set out the core focus for the series: understanding what it truly takes to operate effectively at executive and senior leadership level. Rather than talking about strategy in theory, we explore the lived reality of sitting around the big table and the expectations that come with it. We introduce the idea of three distinct hats every senior leader must learn to recognise and consciously switch between. the common traps leaders fall into, and how we often underestimate the impact of behaviour at senior level. If you are already at the table, aspiring to be there, or simply curious about how senior teams really work, this episode sets the foundation for the series ahead. Key Points Discussed: The difference between functional expertise and executive leadershipWhy your “subject matter expert” hat is the most comfortable and potentially the most limitingThe shift from representing your function to owning organisational outcomesHow senior leaders share accountability for company-wide KPIs, not just their ownWhy competing objectives across teams create healthy tension – when handled wellThe hidden third hat: behavioural impact and team dynamics at the top tableHow informal roles (the challenger, the harmoniser, the driver) shape executive conversationsWhy poor dynamics at senior level are both costly and culturally contagiousThe importance of consciously switching hats rather than defaulting to habit Key Takeaway: Getting a seat at the senior table is an achievement. Using that seat well is a choice. Senior leadership requires more than deep functional expertise – it demands organisational ownership and behavioural awareness. The most effective leaders know which hat they’re wearing, when to switch, and how their presence shapes the room. Next listen: If this topic resonates, you may also want to listen to our most popular episode from Series 4 with Indy Lachhar, who shares her perspective on the realities of being a Chief People Officer. Subscribe to the podcast so you do not miss upcoming guest episodes. Connect with us on LinkedIn and share the strategic leadership questions you want us to explore this series. If you enjoyed the show, please give is 5 stars! It will help others find the show. www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (for Gemma) www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (for Fi)

    28 min
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About

The Strategic Leader is a podcast for busy leaders to learn how to be naturally strategic, so that you can operate with impact and sit at the top table with confidence, with clear and actionable tips to demystify strategy and help you to succeed. With your hosts Gemma Bullivant, Executive Coach and Strategic HR Consultant, and Fiona Craig, strategist, founder and coaching lead at Good Thinking.

Information

  • Creator
    Gemma Bullivant and Fiona Craig
  • Episodes
    46
  • Seasons
    5
  • Rating
    Clean