From Spotify to Channel 4: How Rak Patel Redefined Leadership

Mentor is the podcast where industry heavyweights share the lessons they’ve learned on the road to leadership. Hosted by Marco Buzzozi and Rachel Forde, this week’s episode features Rak Patel — Chief Commercial Officer at Channel 4. From his early days cold-calling at Drapers to leading sales teams at Spotify, Rak opens up about authenticity, diversity, and the power of just doing the thing in front of you.

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Produced by Viral Tribe Entertainment: https://viraltribe.co.uk/

Chapters:

00:00 – Channel 4, Gen Z & The Lost Boys Report

04:18 – Rak Patel’s Career in 60 Seconds

11:41 – Diversity, Representation & Why It Can’t Be a Tick Box

18:24 – Leading Through Uncertainty

22:04 – Biggest Career Mess-Up (And What It Taught Him)

26:53 – Role Models & Masculinity

31:06 – What Real Sales Leadership Looks Like

37:30 – Best Advice He Ever Got (From His Wife)

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