ExExecs Podcast

John Newton
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Nobody tells you the truth about what it takes to lead. ExExecs is three former CEOs from banking, education and private enterprise, with careers spanning nine countries and over 80 years of leadership between them, having the candid conversations they never had access to on the way up. Mistakes, turning points, loneliness at the top and the lessons that actually matter. Built for ambitious professionals who want to climb smarter, lead better and avoid the traps that derail good people.

Episodes

  1. APR 2

    The Art of Delegation

    Most leaders say they delegate. Most leaders are lying to themselves. Three ex-executives - John, Tarek, and Robin - break down why delegation fails, what trust actually looks like in practice, and why the best leaders employ people brighter than themselves. Tarek shares the moment he told his chief of staff "No, send it" and watched her confidence transform. John confesses to the mistake every new leader makes: still doing your old job. Robin challenges whether delegation is something you are born with or something you learn. Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and meet the ExExecs3:00 - The Art of Delegation4:00 - No, send it. I have got your back6:30 - Why you must delegate8:00 - The neuroscience of trust: 50% higher productivity10:30 - Cautionary tale: still doing your old job13:30 - Team ownership over food15:45 - Delegating outside the comfort zone19:30 - Is delegation natural or learned?23:00 - When your boss will not delegate28:30 - The repeat-back technique35:00 - The buddy system38:30 - Next: Crisis Management with Haniya Sadiq Next Episode: Crisis Management with Haniya Sadiq - former COO of HSBC Egypt, Forbes 100 Most Influential Muslim Women. Contact: 3exExecs@gmail.com

    41 min

  2. MAR 5

    Having Difficult Conversations (with Empathy, Courage, and Preparation) #Ep3

    Having Difficult Conversations (with Empathy, Courage, and Preparation) Three former executives, Robin, Tarek, and John share lessons from decades in complex corporate environments, introducing difficult conversations. They discuss being both the instigator and recipient, with examples including an unexpected mediocre appraisal, redundancy conversations shaped by HR scripts, and a father-son moment about asking permission before giving feedback. Key ideas include using empathy and humanity, choosing timing and context carefully, getting to the point, preparing with evidence and examples, avoiding procrastination by committing to a meeting time, and recognizing that difficult conversations often benefit the recipient. They also cover giving feedback upward to a boss, handling forced decisions like redundancies and calibration, and John shares formative feedback from his father about finding “fire in the belly.” 00:00 Meet the Hosts 01:19 Who This Podcast Serves 02:23 Today’s Topic Difficult Talks 02:48 Robin’s Toughest Moments 04:36 Tarek’s Permission Lesson 07:26 Timing Empathy and Context 10:16 When HR Makes It Cold 13:14 John’s Crisis Communications 16:57 Don’t Delay the Hard Talk 17:24 Crossing the Evidence Line 19:33 Gather Evidence Without Bias 20:08 Commit to the Conversation 21:07 Reframe Difficulty as Feedback 21:57 Know Your Why as Leader 23:09 Giving Feedback to Your Boss 25:24 When You Lack Conviction 28:58 Redundancy and Forced Ranking 30:58 Personal Story on Passion 32:14 Key Takeaways and Next Topics

    36 min

  3. FEB 12

    How to Present Without Boring Everyone to Death

    Mastering Presentation and Storytelling: Insights from Ex-Executives Join three ex-executive officers, John, Tarek, and Robin, as they delve into the essential skills of presentations and storytelling in leadership. This episode covers practical tips for improving public speaking, from handling pre-presentation nerves and mastering the elevator pitch to the power of pauses and engaging your audience. They share personal anecdotes, such as John's impactful assembly speeches and Tarek's creative analogies, exploring the importance of authenticity, rehearsal, and emotional intelligence. Ideal for anyone climbing the career ladder or looking to enhance their professional presence. Tune in for valuable advice on making unforgettable presentations and effective storytelling. 00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Backgrounds 00:38 The Importance of Presentation Skills 03:06 Storytelling in Presentations 07:04 Practical Tips for Effective Presentations 08:32 Overcoming Nervousness and Engaging the Audience 14:46 The Power of Authenticity and Pauses 20:17 Diversity and Anecdotal Openers 20:54 Relating to Previous Speakers 21:36 Engaging Openers: The Rat Story 26:05 Creating a Safe Space for Practice 32:07 The Power of Q&A 35:28 Handling the Press 36:17 Conclusion and Sign Off If you would like to connect with Tarek, Robin or John please email 3exexecs@gmail.com

    38 min

  4. FEB 12

    Meet the ExExecs: 90 Years of Leadership Laid Bare Episode #1

    Lessons in Leadership: Insights from Three Former Executives Join three former executive officers, Tarek, Robin, and John, as they share their professional journeys, leadership lessons, and personal experiences in this insightful podcast episode. From navigating cultural differences in international banking to the importance of continuous learning and self-management, the trio provides valuable advice for aspiring leaders. They discuss critical topics such as the importance of storytelling in presentations, overcoming career challenges, and the benefits of coaching. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or just starting your career, this conversation will offer practical wisdom to help you succeed. 00:00 Introduction and Purpose 01:02 Meet Tarek: Banking and Beyond 02:46 Meet Robin: Global Banking Experience 04:35 Meet John: Educational Leadership 06:47 Key Career Turning Points 09:15 Embracing Discomfort and Learning 15:52 Lessons from Sports and Leadership 18:04 Handling Tough Questions in Presentations 18:47 The Power of Storytelling in Leadership 19:22 Games and Techniques for Effective Presentations 20:59 Learning from Mistakes: Personal Reflections 21:40 The Importance of Self-Promotion 23:45 Cultural Differences in Corporate Environments 24:48 Rewiring the Brain for Better Leadership 28:03 The Role of Coaches and Mentors 28:33 Dealing with Crisis and Grief in Leadership 30:44 The Loneliness of Leadership 33:01 Conclusion and Future Topics If you want to contact John, Robin and Tarek please email them at 3exexecs@gmail.com

    35 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

Nobody tells you the truth about what it takes to lead. ExExecs is three former CEOs from banking, education and private enterprise, with careers spanning nine countries and over 80 years of leadership between them, having the candid conversations they never had access to on the way up. Mistakes, turning points, loneliness at the top and the lessons that actually matter. Built for ambitious professionals who want to climb smarter, lead better and avoid the traps that derail good people.

Information

  • Creator
    John Newton
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 John Newton
  • Show Website
    ExExecs Podcast