Business Transformation Journey

Ondrej Papanek
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Management
  • Weekly

The Business Transformation Journey, the go-to show for business leaders looking to unlock growth, streamline operations, and enhance organizational effectiveness. Hosted by Ondrej, this show offers practical insights drawn from real-world experience, highlighting proven strategies to navigate challenges and drive meaningful change. Join Ondrej and industry leaders as they share actionable tips to help you elevate your organization and achieve lasting success.

  1. 4d ago

    From Efficiency to Judgement: Leading AI-Driven Business Transformation

    Ondrej Papanek speaks with Philip Topham, founder of SavionAI and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling CRAFT Thinking™, about AI-driven business transformation and the leadership challenges organizations face when adopting AI. What happens when AI begins to influence how leaders assess situations, address business challenges and make strategic decisions, instead of simply helping teams work faster? Philip shares how leaders can use AI to challenge their assumptions, consider different scenarios and make better-informed decisions. They also discuss AI leadership, business strategy, governance, and why responsibility for the final decision must stay with people. Key topics: AI-driven business transformation, AI leadership, AI decision-making, AI governance, business challenges, business strategy, leadership, organizational development, SavionAI. About Philip Topham Philip advises private-company boards and senior leaders on using AI while keeping human judgment, accountability and control in place. He has held senior roles in healthcare and IT, has two patents in social network analytics, and has worked with analytical platforms deployed to major pharmaceutical companies. He co-chairs the Private Directors Association's National AI Special Interest Group and has written more than 225 articles on AI governance, decision-making and thinking with AI. In this episode, we discuss: Why bringing AI into an organization involves more than introducing new technology or making existing processes faster.What makes AI different from earlier technologies, especially its growing influence on leadership, business strategy and decision-making.How to move from AI-assisted search to finding insights, exploring possible futures and thinking through unintended consequences.What an AI-native organization might look like if leaders could rethink its processes, organizational development and ways of working from the ground up.Why curiosity matters when familiar assumptions no longer hold, and how AI can change roles and collaboration across teams.How to involve employees and stakeholders in business transformation, with clear communication throughout the process.How prompting is developing into ongoing conversations, AI agents, feedback loops and continuous improvement.Why changing AI models make evaluations, safeguards and clear governance necessary.How AI can introduce different perspectives into business strategy discussions while leaving room for human intuition, emotion and judgment.Philip sees AI as a useful thinking partner. It can help leaders work through complex business challenges and see options they may have missed. But someone still needs to weigh the consequences and take responsibility for the decision. If you're an executive, board member or transformation leader, this conversation offers ideas for connecting AI with business strategy, strengthening leadership and driving organizational development without giving up human judgment or trust. Connect with Philip Topham LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philiptopham CRAFT Thinking™: https://craftthinking.ai About the podcast The Business Transformation Journey is hosted by Ondrej Papanek, Business Transformation and Leadership Coach. The podcast explores leadership, business transformation, business strategy, organizational development, trust and the business challenges organizations face. In his work with organizations, Ondrej helps leaders break down silos, improve collaboration and transparency, and turn transformation plans into measurable results.

  2. Oct 20

    Your Career Is a Business: Are You Managing It That Way? | Kim Sawyer

    Learn how to manage your career like a business, build a career strategy and take more ownership of where you go next. Have you ever been so focused on doing your current job well that you stopped thinking about where your career is heading? In Episode 14 of The Business Transformation Journey, Ondrej Papanek speaks with Kim Sawyer, executive and business coach, entrepreneur, speaker and founder of The Wealth Source, about career development, leadership and the business challenges professionals face when planning their future. Kim has spent almost 25 years coaching executives, entrepreneurs and leadership teams. He believes people often leave their career decisions to employers, recruiters or circumstances. In this conversation, he explains what changes when you start thinking of yourself as the CEO of your own career. They discuss how to work out what you offer, communicate the business results you've created and develop a long-term career strategy. Kim also shares why the relationships you build today may matter more than the contacts you make when you're already looking for a new job. In this episode, you'll hear about: Why your career is bigger than your current jobHow to take ownership of your career development and plan two, five and ten years aheadWays to describe your professional value through the business impact you createHow Kim's 3x3 Value Survey helps you understand how other people see your strengthsThe difference between building social capital and networking only when you need somethingWhy professional associations and staying in touch can lead to opportunities over timeHow to approach a move into another leadership role or industry as a transitionWhat employers need to see in your CVHabits that keep career planning on your radar, even when you're happy in your current roleHow AI can help with career development while you stay responsible for your decisionsIf you're considering a new leadership role, thinking about a career change or simply wondering what comes next, Kim offers practical ideas for taking a more active role in your career management. His approach encourages professionals to think strategically about their careers, recognize the business value they create and prepare for future opportunities. Duration: 47:37 About Kim Sawyer Kim is the founder of The Wealth Source. His coaching covers performance, communication, time management, leadership development and long-term career success. Website: https://thewealthsource.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkimsawyer/ Listener offer Kim is offering his $300 Career Mastery Session to the first three listeners who sign up. Check availability and book here: https://calendly.com/thewealthsource About the podcast Hosted by Ondrej Papanek, Business Transformation and Leadership Coach, The Business Transformation Journey explores leadership, business transformation, business strategy, organizational development and the business challenges organizations face when turning strategy into measurable results. In his work with organizations, Ondrej helps leaders break down silos, improve collaboration and transparency, and turn transformation plans into measurable results. Connect with Ondrej: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-ondrej-papanek/

  3. Oct 13

    Addition by subtraction: why sustainable growth requires letting go

    Sustainable growth sometimes depends on what a business is willing to stop doing. In Episode 13 of The Business Transformation Journey, Ondrej Papanek talks with Nikki Stone about "addition by subtraction": letting go of the processes, approvals and habits that create business challenges, slow down decisions and make business transformation harder. Nikki is a business futures architect, founder of YQ, author and board advisor. She has spent more than 20 years in media, advertising, commerce and technology, including senior roles at WPP and Publicis. She was CEO of Wavemaker Canada and Chief Commerce Officer at GroupM Canada, and has helped lead businesses representing over $600 million in client billings. Today, she works with founders, CEOs and executive teams on sustainable growth, business strategy, responsible AI, leadership, culture and commerce. As companies grow, it's easy to keep adding things: another meeting, another layer of approval, another tool. Nikki encourages leaders to ask, "What does this replace?" It's a useful way to notice where complexity is getting in the way of good work, organizational development and faster decisions. In this episode, Nikki and Ondrej talk about: How to recognize processes, approvals and meetings that no longer serve a purposeWhy every new hire, tool or process deserves the question, "What does this replace?"How healthy skepticism differs from resistance that holds a team backWhy effective leadership means looking at both someone's behavior and the environment they're working inNikki's approach to hiring: "100% of the person and 80% of the skills"How honest feedback, recognition and consistency help build trustUsing pre-mortems to spot risks before starting something newWhat overloaded calendars do to decision-making, and how to give teams more independenceWhy ownership and accountability make business transformation easier to manageHow to remove what isn't working without damaging relationshipsWhy growth isn't always worth pursuing, especially when focusing on a clear niche might be a better business strategyFor CEOs, executives and transformation leaders dealing with business challenges such as packed calendars, slow decisions or growing complexity, this conversation offers practical ideas for simplifying work, strengthening leadership and supporting sustainable organizational development while protecting the people and culture behind it. About Nikki Stone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkistone1/ Website: https://www.thinkyq.com/ Book, Architecting Resilience: https://www.amazon.ca/Architecting-Resilience-Innovation-Growth-Constant-ebook/dp/B0HLBHC6MF/ About the podcast Hosted by Ondrej Papanek, Business Transformation and Leadership Coach, The Business Transformation Journey covers leadership, business transformation, business strategy, organizational development and trust, with a focus on helping leaders address business challenges and turn plans into lasting change. Connect with Ondrej: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-ondrej-papanek/

  4. Oct 6

    The Game of Ten® and the Game Often Played: Choosing Awareness Over Fear | Steve Barton

    Leadership awareness sounds simple until you're facing a difficult decision. Fear, overthinking and self-doubt can feel surprisingly convincing in the moment. How do you notice what's happening and choose your next step, especially when facing complex business challenges? In Episode 12 of The Business Transformation Journey, Ondrej Papanek talks with Steve Barton, founder of Steve Barton Coaching and creator of The Game of Ten®, about the thoughts and emotions that shape leadership, decision-making and the way leaders respond to challenges in business and life. Steve has more than 47 years of business experience. He grew his family's floral business from $200,000 to over $2 million in annual revenue before moving into executive coaching. He now works with entrepreneurs, executives and high achievers who want to lead with more awareness, confidence and purpose. Through The Game of Ten®, Steve encourages people to pay attention to the patterns behind their choices. He also describes the "game often played," where fear, guilt, shame and the need for approval can take over, often without us realizing it. These patterns can influence leadership behavior, relationships and how people approach difficult decisions. In this conversation, Steve and Ondrej discuss: The difference between The Game of Ten® and the "game often played"How fear and self-doubt can affect leadership decisionsWhy overthinking and past experiences sometimes keep us from being presentWhat it means to treat thoughts as tools instead of defining yourself by themHow "I am enough, I do enough, I have enough" can challenge the pressure we put on ourselvesWhy personal responsibility matters in leadership and how leaders respond to business challengesHow curiosity changes difficult conversations, especially when we're tempted to judgeWhy consistency and authenticity help build trustHow to care about people while accepting that you can't be liked by everyoneWhy awareness and presence take practiceHow to set healthier boundaries and let go of thought patterns that no longer helpWhy business transformation and organizational development often begin with the way leaders think, make decisions and respond to changeIf you tend to replay decisions in your head or feel responsible for keeping everyone happy, you'll recognize some of the situations Steve describes. The episode offers ways to notice those habits and respond with more intention when challenges arise. For executives and business leaders, these insights can also support better judgment, stronger relationships and more thoughtful decisions when developing business strategy or leading change. Duration: 53:19 About Steve Barton Website: https://www.stevebartoncoaching.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-steve-barton/ Book: The Father, the Son, and the AHA Moment: Tools for Helping You and Your Child Develop a Path to Happiness https://thegameof10.com/ About the podcast Hosted by Ondrej Papanek, Business Transformation and Leadership Coach, The Business Transformation Journey covers leadership, business transformation, business strategy, organizational development and organizational trust. The conversations explore the everyday business challenges leaders face, from making difficult decisions and building stronger teams to turning ideas into meaningful, lasting change. Connect with Ondrej: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-ondrej-papanek/

  5. Sep 29

    Chosen to Lead Transformation? Red Flags Before You Say Yes

    Being asked to lead a business transformation can feel like a great opportunity. In Episode 11 of The Business Transformation Journey, Ondrej Papanek talks with Janylène Turcotte about the leadership challenges, organizational conditions and questions worth exploring before you say yes. A title and a mandate only tell you so much. Are the sponsors genuinely committed? Do senior leaders agree on what needs to change? If they have competing priorities or different views on business strategy, the transformation may be difficult before the work even begins. Janylène and Ondrej look at these red flags and how to assess leadership alignment, sponsor readiness and the business challenges that can affect successful organizational change. Janylène is an ICF-certified executive coach and clinical hypnotherapist. She spent 25 years in corporate HR, supporting major transitions and post-merger integrations at Deloitte, HSBC and McMillan. She later founded Hypnocoach, where she combines executive coaching, Rapid Transformational Therapy and somatic practices to explore the beliefs and habits that can hold people back. They also talk about a very personal kind of change: what happens after a founder sells a business or steps away from the leadership role that has defined so much of their life. The deal may be done, but adjusting to a different routine, family dynamic or sense of purpose can take much longer. In the episode, you'll hear about: How to recognize a business transformation that lacks genuine leadership commitmentWhy competing agendas and misaligned business strategy matter, and what to ask before accepting the roleWhy external consultants are sometimes brought in only after organizational problems have grownThe identity shift founders can experience after leaving a successful businessWhy planning for life after an exit should start before the sale is completeHow work and family relationships can change when the old routine disappearsMaking space through better boundaries, saying no and delegatingWhy even experienced leaders can find delegation uncomfortableHow fear of failure and unconscious beliefs can affect leadership decisionsWhat changes when leaders question the stories they tell themselvesWhy personal change and organizational development can be gradual, sudden or clear only in hindsightHow to navigate the space between an old identity and a new one, with progress as the goal instead of a perfect 10 out of 10Whether you're considering a business transformation mandate or preparing for a major change in your own career, this conversation covers both the organizational conditions and the personal questions that deserve attention. For executives and transformation leaders, it offers perspectives on navigating business challenges, assessing leadership readiness and understanding why lasting change requires more than a clear strategy. About Janylène Turcotte LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janylene/ Website: https://www.hypnocoach.ca/ Book a free 30-minute strategy call: https://link.hypnocoach.ca/widget/bookings/janylene-turcotte-personal-calendar-yqnwtklhsshegli About the podcast Hosted by Ondrej Papanek, Business Transformation and Leadership Coach, The Business Transformation Journey explores leadership, business transformation, business strategy, organizational development, organizational trust and the practical business challenges leaders face when turning ideas into lasting organizational change. Connect with Ondrej: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-ondrej-papanek/

  6. Sep 22

    Your Organisation Mirrors Your Leadership | Nader Vasseghi

    Ondrej Papanek interviews Nader Vasseghi, executive coach, entrepreneur and author of Conscious Creation: Leadership at the Source of the Future, about conscious leadership and how a leader's beliefs, emotions and behavior shape organizational culture, influence business decisions and affect business transformation. Have you ever wondered how much your organization reflects the way you lead? In this episode of The Business Transformation Journey, Nader draws on more than 30 years of working with founders, CEOs and leadership teams to explore how self-awareness, executive coaching and everyday leadership behaviors influence trust, relationships and the culture people experience at work. They also discuss why understanding ourselves matters when navigating business challenges and leading organizational change. Key topics: Conscious leadership, executive coaching, organizational culture, leadership behaviors, self-awareness, organizational trust, business challenges, business strategy, organizational development, business transformation. ABOUT NADER VASSEGHI Nader has spent more than three decades helping founders, executives and leadership teams navigate growth, complexity and business transformation. His book, Conscious Creation: Leadership at the Source of the Future, explores how our beliefs, emotions and intentions influence our actions and the people around us, often without us realizing it. IN THIS EPISODE Nader and Ondrej discuss: Why organizations often reflect the inner state of their leaders, even when those leaders are unaware of their influence.How everyday leadership behaviors shape organizational culture, sometimes more than the values written on the wall.Why having good intentions doesn't always mean your actions have a positive impact on others.What happens when leaders face business challenges and pressure, and begin relying on control, judgment or reactive decisions.How greater self-awareness and presence can help leaders recognize their reactions and respond more thoughtfully.Why we often stop listening when we've already formed an opinion, and what this means for communication and trust.How different communication styles influence relationships, collaboration and organizational development.WHY THIS CONVERSATION MATTERS As leaders, we spend a lot of time thinking about business strategy, performance and how to improve our organizations. But how often do we stop to consider the impact we have on the people around us? Nader invites us to look at our own behavior and question the assumptions that influence how we lead. If you're an executive, HR leader, manager or someone responsible for business transformation, this conversation offers practical insights into becoming more self-aware, strengthening organizational trust and creating an environment where people feel supported and can do their best work. It also explores why conscious leadership matters when addressing business challenges and supporting lasting organizational development. CONNECT WITH NADER VASSEGHI Website: https://www.cnergist.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadervasseghi/ Book — Conscious Creation: Leadership at the Source of the Future: https://cnergist.com/conscious-creation/ ABOUT THE PODCAST Hosted by Ondrej Papanek, Business Transformation and Leadership Coach, The Business Transformation Journey explores leadership, business transformation, business strategy, organizational development, trust and the business challenges leaders face. Through his work with leaders and organizations, Ondrej helps break down silos, improve collaboration and transparency, and turn transformation strategy into meaningful, measurable results.

  7. Sep 14

    Leading Across Cultures: How Global Leaders Build Credibility, Influence and Impact

    Episode 9: Cross-Cultural Leadership. Ondrej Papanek speaks with Eva Aimable-Kolosko, global leadership strategist, executive coach and author of Growth Without Borders: A Global Leader's Toolkit, about building credibility, influence and trust across cultures while navigating the business challenges of leading international teams. Have you ever found that an approach which worked with one team suddenly doesn't work in another country? The words may be the same, but people hear them differently. Decisions take a different path. And trust needs to be earned in ways you might not expect. Eva brings more than 20 years of experience leading people, operations, PMOs and business transformation in global organizations. She's lived in eight countries and progressed from manager to executive in Canada, despite having no previous North American work experience. In our conversation, we explore what this means for leaders working across borders, how cultural intelligence can help them connect with people without losing their own style, and why understanding cultural differences matters for leadership, business strategy and organizational development. Key topics: Cross-cultural leadership, global leadership, cross-cultural communication, cultural intelligence, credibility, influence, organizational trust, business challenges, business strategy, organizational development and business transformation. IN THIS EPISODE Eva and Ondrej discuss: Why leadership expectations change across cultures and what happens when we assume everyone sees things the same way.How a business strategy can lose its meaning as it moves between countries and teams.What it takes to adjust your communication so people understand your message.How to build credibility when you're new to a country, organization or leadership role.Why the people with the most influence aren't always those with the most senior titles.How trust and psychological safety are experienced differently across cultures.Why self-advocacy, visibility and showing your impact matter as your career grows.How delegation helps people take responsibility and develop as leaders.What curiosity and adaptability look like when international teams face uncertainty, complex business challenges and AI-driven change.Eva also shares her Global Leaders Compass, which looks at four areas: credibility, cultural intelligence, influence and impact. It's a way to reflect on how you lead today and where you want to develop, especially when working across cultures and navigating organizational change. WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR If you're managing international teams, stepping into a leadership role in a new country or leading business transformation across borders, you'll find useful ideas for communicating with people, earning their trust and bringing them into decisions. The conversation also explores how cross-cultural leadership can strengthen collaboration, help organizations align people around business strategy and support organizational development across different countries and cultures. CONNECT WITH EVA AIMABLE-KOLOSKO LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-aimable-kolosko Website: https://www.evaaimable.com Global Leaders Compass™ Scorecard (free 5-minute self-assessment): https://eva-aimable.involve.me/globalleaderscompass ABOUT THE PODCAST Hosted by Ondrej Papanek, Business Transformation and Leadership Coach, The Business Transformation Journey explores leadership, business transformation, business strategy, organizational development and trust, with a focus on the business challenges leaders face when turning plans into meaningful, lasting change.

  8. Sep 7

    Curiosity Before Control: Ask Before You Tell

    Ondrej Papanek speaks with Craig Wahl, author of the upcoming book The Walk: Leadership When There Is No Finish Line, about leadership curiosity and why learning to ask before you tell can change how you lead teams, navigate business challenges and support business transformation. When you're the person everyone turns to for answers, it's tempting to step in and take control. But what happens when you stop asking questions? What important information might you be missing? Craig shares how leaders can stay curious under pressure, make better decisions and build trust by taking the time to understand people before offering solutions. They also explore why curiosity matters for effective leadership, collaboration and organizational development. Key topics: Leadership curiosity, ask before you tell, leading teams, powerful questions, decision-making, organizational trust, leadership development, business challenges, business strategy, organizational development, business transformation. ABOUT CRAIG WAHL Craig has experienced what it means to lead through difficult times. He helped grow an organization from 8 to 300 employees in less than two years and has faced lawsuits, bankruptcies and major business disruption. These experiences have shaped how he approaches leadership today. His work focuses on helping leaders develop the curiosity and endurance needed to remain effective under pressure, especially as AI brings new business challenges and changes how organizations work. IN THIS EPISODE Craig and Ondrej discuss: Why leaders often become more controlling under pressure, and how slowing down can help them make better decisions.How asking questions can reveal things leaders might otherwise overlook.Why asking "why?" can sometimes put people on the defensive, and how "Help me understand" can open a better conversation.How to develop a practical set of questions for meetings, one-to-ones and difficult conversations.Why the second or third question can sometimes reveal more than the first.How curiosity helps leaders understand what motivates people and adapt their communication.How to build trust with quieter or more introverted team members and make room for their perspectives.Why asking for feedback also means being prepared to act on what you hear.How curiosity can help leaders avoid promoting someone into a management role they may not want.WHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAY If you're a manager, executive or transformation leader, this conversation offers practical ways to bring more curiosity into your everyday leadership. You'll hear how asking better questions can help you understand your team, improve decision-making and create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing what they think. These skills can also help leaders address business challenges, challenge assumptions behind business strategy and build stronger relationships during business transformation. Sometimes, the most useful thing a leader can do is ask one more question before giving an answer. CONNECT WITH CRAIG WAHL Pre-order The Walk: Leadership When There Is No Finish Line: http://www.craigawahl.com/preorder Website: https://www.craigawahl.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigawahl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigawahl Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ca.wahlsy ABOUT THE PODCAST Hosted by Ondrej Papanek, Business Transformation and Leadership Coach, The Business Transformation Journey explores leadership, business transformation, business strategy, organizational development and trust, with a focus on the practical business challenges leaders face when turning ideas into meaningful organizational change.

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The Business Transformation Journey, the go-to show for business leaders looking to unlock growth, streamline operations, and enhance organizational effectiveness. Hosted by Ondrej, this show offers practical insights drawn from real-world experience, highlighting proven strategies to navigate challenges and drive meaningful change. Join Ondrej and industry leaders as they share actionable tips to help you elevate your organization and achieve lasting success.

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