Sandy on Talent - Insights and Strategies for Leadership Excellence and Talent Optimization

Sandy Ogg
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Careers
  • Updated Semiweekly

Think about the worst job you've ever had. What made it so? How did you feel about yourself and your abilities while you were stuck in that awful position? Welcome to Sandy on Talent, where we discuss the unfortunate reality of good talent going to waste and uncover how business leaders can unlock hidden potential in themselves and others to achieve personal and organizational growth. Join Sandy and his renowned guests for insightful and honest discussions on executive leadership, talent optimization, and entrepreneurial success. Now think of the best job you've ever had. It felt entirely different, didn't it? Our mission is to help everyone find fulfillment, dignity, and success in their jobs. We call that magical union "click" —the moment talent perfectly aligns with their role, connecting abilities and superpowers to tangible value, and everyone wins. Whether you're a CEO, business executive, ambitious employee, or an entrepreneur, our insights are tailored to provide actionable strategies for harnessing potential and driving organizational success. Host Sandy Ogg brings over three decades of experience as a CEO advisor, talent expert, and entrepreneur. He founded CEO.works and has served as an operating partner at Blackstone Group and as CHRO of Unilever. Throughout his career, Sandy has collaborated with top global business leaders, gaining insights into the consistent practices that drive value for stakeholders. He leverages this knowledge to develop talent-focused tools to help leaders and organizations thrive in today's economic environment. On our podcast, Sandy and his guests will tackle one of the top issues highlighted in every CEO annual survey: the persistent shortage of talent where it's needed most. Through thought-provoking conversations, they will address burning questions like "How do we hire the best people?" "Is the organization talented enough?" "Is the hierarchy dying or already dead?" And, "Why do transformations fail?" If you're ready to transform your approach to leadership and talent, join us for Sandy on Talent, where we ignite the spark that propels individuals and organizations toward excellence.

  1. Jul 9

    042: Making Your Own Luck in HR with JP Elliott

    From working in sales for his family's gumball machine venture as a teenager, to advising CHROs at Fortune 500 companies, JP Elliott's career is anything but linear. Sandy and JP unpack how early lessons from an entrepreneurial father and counselor mother created a powerful blend of commercial acumen and empathy, and how the mantra "one gumball at a time" became JP's lifelong playbook for perseverance.   Listeners hear how JP manufactured his early break at Taco Bell through disciplined outreach, took a risky detour into branding and licensing work with Warner Bros and Lego, and then stepped into major HR leadership roles at Lenovo, Brinks, Dick's Sporting Goods, JCPenney, McAfee, and in private equity. Along the way, he contrasts Chinese and U.S. leadership styles, shares what it's really like inside aggressive growth cultures, and reflects on the hits and the hard knocks.   You'll come away with practical takeaways on making your own luck, turning "detours" into future advantages, navigating misfit roles, and why serious HR leaders must think like business operators first and talent experts second. In this episode, you will hear: Building gumball machine routes as a teenager and student, and how that shaped perseverance and work ethic   Creating career breaks through proactive outreach and networking, including his pivotal Taco Bell opportunity   Corporate and global HR leadership journey   Comparing Chinese and U.S. leadership styles and what truly business-focused HR looks like   Turning career detours and difficult roles into an entrepreneurial path Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/  X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent  Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

    042: Making Your Own Luck in HR with JP Elliott

  2. Jun 25

    041: How Family, Faith, and Football Shaped Drew Weatherford's Career

    Great careers rarely follow a straight line, and Drew Weatherford's journey proves it. Drew is a rare blend of scholar-athlete and builder: former Florida State quarterback, co-founder and partner at Weatherford Capital with over $1.2B AUM, and board member across a range of sports, tech, and services companies.   We walk through how Drew's foundation was formed long before private equity and boardrooms. Growing up as one of nine children, with "first string" and "second string" siblings, he learned competition, resilience, and collaboration in a deeply family-centric environment. His mother homeschooled the kids for decades, compressing the formal school day into about three hours and leaving the rest for unstructured play, experimentation, and multi-sport exploration. The family rotated through organized sports based on the older siblings' choices, teaching Drew to adapt, embrace constraints, and find opportunities within them.   We highlight his conviction that professional success is hollow without family and purpose, and set the stage for a deeper exploration of how those formative experiences now guide his approach to building companies, backing leaders, and sustaining peak performance over time.   In this episode, you will hear: Moving beyond early fame and dealing with the "after" of being a starting QB at Florida State Feeling stuck when work keeps you tied to your past and how Drew recognized that misalignment Discovering entrepreneurship through launching a strategy consulting firm in his mid‑20s The decision to join forces with his brothers and build Weatherford Capital from humble beginnings Going back for an executive MBA at Kellogg to sharpen skills and signal a serious pivot into investing Choosing to "burn the ships" by phasing out consulting to go all‑in on investment management Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/  X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent  Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

    041: How Family, Faith, and Football Shaped Drew Weatherford's Career

  3. Jun 11

    040: Betting on People: How Guy Schory Built a Career at the Intersection of Technology and Purpose

    Some careers follow a plan. Guy Schory's followed people. In this episode, Sandy sits down with Guy Schory, board director and former public company executive, to explore what it actually takes to build a career at the edge of technology, purpose, and calculated risk. Guy spent a decade at eBay and PayPal under CEO John Donahoe, then crossed into sports media and entertainment as President of Digital Businesses and Global CTO at Endeavor Group Holdings under Ari Emanuel. Two iconic leaders, two completely different playbooks. Guy absorbed both. The conversation covers how the right people create career inflection points, why the worst job can become the best one, and what Guy calls betting on people over opportunity on paper. For anyone trying to find their own click, this one delivers. In this episode, you will hear: How a high school passion for bringing youth together across conflict zones set the foundation for Guy Schory's mission-driven career Why Guy bet on boring work with great people over exciting work with the wrong ones, and how that single early-career decision paid off for decades The role calculated risk played at every major inflection point, from raising tens of millions internally at eBay to crossing into sports media and entertainment What Guy learned from two of the most different leaders in business, John Donahoe and Ari Emanuel, and how he built a career by combining both playbooks Sandy's "work, role, talent" risk framework and why all three variables have to interact positively for even the most talented people to succeed How the worst job of Guy's career became the catalyst for the best one Why finding your "click" starts with deep alignment on values, not job titles or industry prestige Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/  X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent  Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    040: Betting on People: How Guy Schory Built a Career at the Intersection of Technology and Purpose

  4. May 28

    039: Talent, Value, and the Click: Shefali Salwan on Building a Career That Means Something

    Some careers follow a straight line. Shefali Salwan's crossed five countries, three industries, and thirty years of hard lessons before it all clicked. Sandy sits down with Salwan, founder of FulcrumQ and a globally respected executive coach and HR innovator, to dig into the science of talent to value and what it actually takes to build a career that connects your skills to outcomes that matter. Salwan draws on her experience at Unilever, ANZ Grindlays, and CEO Works to make the case that when talent and challenge don't match, no salary will fix it. She uses the Sudoku metaphor to explain why a puzzle that's too easy is just as paralyzing as one that's too hard. This one will make you rethink how you measure fit, fulfillment, and what it means to find your click. In this episode, you will hear: Growing up on a tea plantation in northeast India and how it shaped Shefali Salwan's view of dignity at work The ANZ Grindlays transformation which meant 2,500 employees reapplying for their own jobs  Reframing gender diversity at Unilever as a business problem, not a fairness argument The Sudoku metaphor for career fit, and why too easy is just as paralyzing as too hard What a well-paying UK banking job taught Salwan about compensation versus fulfillment How FulcrumQ connects people decisions to real business outcomes Why AI removing tedium from entry-level work makes human judgment harder to develop, not less important Resources from this Episode FulcrumQ - https://fulcrumq.com/ Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/  X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent  Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    039: Talent, Value, and the Click: Shefali Salwan on Building a Career That Means Something

  5. May 14

    038: The Project Economy: Why Projects Are the Future, Not Just the Present with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez

    Projects aren't just how work gets done. According to Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, they're how the future gets built. In this episode, Sandy sits down with the world's leading authority on project management, a Thinkers 50 honoree, six-time author, and the originator of the project economy concept, to talk about why most organizations are running too many projects, finishing too few, and paying a steep price for it. Antonio brings decades of on-the-ground experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Fortis Bank, and GSK, and his latest book, Powered by Projects, published by Harvard Business Review Press, gives leaders a concrete framework for turning strategy into results. The conversation covers prioritization, team structure, CEO failure rates, and what Antonio calls "are you crazy" projects. The ones worth betting on. In this episode, you will hear: How Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez went from shy, peripatetic student to the world's leading authority on project management Why projects build the future while operations only run the present The painful truth about prioritization and why a strategic session that doesn't feel uncomfortable probably wasn't strategic Why launching more projects than you finish or kill is a sign of poor leadership "Are you crazy?" projects and why most companies don't have enough of them How CEO success rates have dropped to 27% and what project discipline has to do with fixing that Building internal transformation muscle so every level of an organization can adapt, change, and keep moving Resources from this Episode Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/  X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent  Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    038: The Project Economy: Why Projects Are the Future, Not Just the Present with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez

  6. Apr 30

    037: The Art of the Turnaround: How Jan Zijderveld Transformed Unilever Europe and Saved Avon Products - Part 2

    Jan Zijderveld has run businesses on five continents, fixing broken ones, growing strong ones, and inheriting everything in between. In Part 2 of this conversation, he picks up where the strategic playbook left off: leading leaders across Southeast Asia and Europe, then walking away from 30 years at Unilever to take the top job at a company most people had written off. That company was Avon. Share price at $2, $2 billion in debt, 6 million sales reps cycling in and out the door every year. Zijderveld rebuilt it around four levers: brand, earnings, digital, and simplification, and sold it three years later for $6 a share. The episode closes with hard-earned advice: start with the end in mind, take risks, and learn from everyone worth learning from. In this episode, you will hear: Leading leaders across Southeast Asia and Europe, and what changes when the people reporting to you run billion-dollar companies How Jan turned a shrinking European business into Unilever's sharpest competitive proving ground The state of Avon when he arrived: $2 share price, $2 billion in debt, and 6 million reps churning through the door every year Four levers that rebuilt Avon from the ground up: brand restoration, rep earnings, digitization, and radical simplification Why 90th-percentile talent succeeds only 27% of the time, and what the other two variables are Start with the end in mind, get flying hours, and surround yourself with people who have a spike Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/  X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent  Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    037: The Art of the Turnaround: How Jan Zijderveld Transformed Unilever Europe and Saved Avon Products - Part 2

  7. Apr 16

    036: The Art of the Turnaround: How Jan Zijderveld Transformed Unilever Europe and Saved Avon Products - Part 1

    In part one of this two-part episode of Sandy on Talent, Sandy sits down with Jan Zijderveld, a rare breed of truly global executive who built an extraordinary career spanning eight countries across three continents. From brand manager in New Zealand to President of Unilever Europe — a $14 billion business across 34 countries — Jan shares the leadership lessons, hard-won instincts, and pattern recognition that only come from decades of doing difficult things in unfamiliar places. Jan opens up about his high-stakes turnaround of Avon Products, why the CEO success rate hovers around 27%, and how the right "click" between talent, work, and role is the real driver of extraordinary outcomes. His advice is simple but profound: start with the end in mind, take risks, get your flying hours, and surround yourself with people who inspire you. In this episode, you will hear: How Jan Zijderveld built a truly global career across eight countries and three continents The nearly 30-year Unilever journey that took him from brand manager to President of Europe Leading a high-stakes turnaround at Avon Products and navigating its acquisition by Natura Why only 27% of top-tier CEO talent actually succeeds — and what's really behind the gap Sandy's "click" framework and how it connects talent, work, and role as the real driver of success The case for pattern recognition and flying hours over raw talent alone Why starting with the end in mind — and surrounding yourself with inspiring people — is Jan's blueprint for a life well lived Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/  X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent  Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    036: The Art of the Turnaround: How Jan Zijderveld Transformed Unilever Europe and Saved Avon Products - Part 1

  8. Apr 2

    035: Humility, Curiosity & the Click: What Makes a Great CEO with Shlomo Yanai

    What does it take to lead at the highest levels — in war, in business, and beyond? In this episode, Sandy sits down with Shlomo Yanai, a man who has done exactly that. From commanding forces in the Yom Kippur War to transforming Teva Pharmaceuticals into an $18 billion global powerhouse, Shlomo's journey is unlike anything you've heard before. Born to Holocaust survivors, Shlomo brings a rare depth of perspective on resilience, leadership, and reinvention. The conversation explores what it truly means to "click" in a role — and why humility and curiosity may be the most underrated qualities in a CEO. If you're searching for your next great chapter, Shlomo's advice is simple: stop living in the past, and follow your gut. In this episode, you will hear: Growing up as the son of Holocaust survivors and the silence that shaped a generation Hiding his combat role from his parents — and the moment it all came to light Lessons from the Yom Kippur War and why Israel's military recovery defined his leadership philosophy Doubling Teva Pharmaceuticals' revenue to $18 billion through bold, people-first leadership Why the current CEO selection process is "precisely wrong" — and what should replace it Humility and curiosity as the most undervalued traits in executive leadership "Follow your gut" — advice for senior leaders navigating their next chapter Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/  X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent  Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

    035: Humility, Curiosity & the Click: What Makes a Great CEO with Shlomo Yanai
See All (43)

Trailer

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Think about the worst job you've ever had. What made it so? How did you feel about yourself and your abilities while you were stuck in that awful position? Welcome to Sandy on Talent, where we discuss the unfortunate reality of good talent going to waste and uncover how business leaders can unlock hidden potential in themselves and others to achieve personal and organizational growth. Join Sandy and his renowned guests for insightful and honest discussions on executive leadership, talent optimization, and entrepreneurial success. Now think of the best job you've ever had. It felt entirely different, didn't it? Our mission is to help everyone find fulfillment, dignity, and success in their jobs. We call that magical union "click" —the moment talent perfectly aligns with their role, connecting abilities and superpowers to tangible value, and everyone wins. Whether you're a CEO, business executive, ambitious employee, or an entrepreneur, our insights are tailored to provide actionable strategies for harnessing potential and driving organizational success. Host Sandy Ogg brings over three decades of experience as a CEO advisor, talent expert, and entrepreneur. He founded CEO.works and has served as an operating partner at Blackstone Group and as CHRO of Unilever. Throughout his career, Sandy has collaborated with top global business leaders, gaining insights into the consistent practices that drive value for stakeholders. He leverages this knowledge to develop talent-focused tools to help leaders and organizations thrive in today's economic environment. On our podcast, Sandy and his guests will tackle one of the top issues highlighted in every CEO annual survey: the persistent shortage of talent where it's needed most. Through thought-provoking conversations, they will address burning questions like "How do we hire the best people?" "Is the organization talented enough?" "Is the hierarchy dying or already dead?" And, "Why do transformations fail?" If you're ready to transform your approach to leadership and talent, join us for Sandy on Talent, where we ignite the spark that propels individuals and organizations toward excellence.

Information

You Might Also Like