IDEAS+LEADERS

Hosted by Dr Elena Paweta

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

298

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

About the show

Effective communication skills are essential in your career. Each Monday, join Dr Elena Paweta, executive communication coach and IDEAS+LEADERS founder, as she interviews business leaders and entrepreneurs on business communication, leadership and building relationships. If you want to progress in your career, become more charismatic and impactful leader, or just want to hear advice from top business leaders, this is the podcast for you.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 25, 2026Episode 29927 min

299. Why Leaders Fail at Difficult Conversations - Jeff Wetherhold

In episode 299 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Jeff Wetherhold, Harvard-trained behavioral scientist, change leadership expert, and faculty member with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Jeff has spent more than 20 years helping leaders engage people in meaningful change through the principles of Motivational Interviewing, bringing evidence-based communication strategies from healthcare into leadership, education, government, and nonprofit organizations.We talk about why so many change initiatives fail, why difficult conversations often create resistance instead of reflection, and how leaders can recognize the early signs of disengagement before they become conflict. Jeff shares practical insights on leading change with curiosity, dignity, and less exhaustion while building genuine commitment instead of compliance.In this episode, we discuss:• Why 88% of change efforts fail to create lasting impact• Why clarity and honesty alone don't guarantee productive conversations• How leaders unintentionally create defensiveness instead of engagement• The early language signals that reveal ambivalence before resistance appears• How Motivational Interviewing helps leaders create trust, ownership, and lasting changeThis is a practical and thought-provoking conversation for leaders, managers, coaches, and anyone who wants to communicate more effectively while leading people through uncertainty and change.You can connect with Jeff here: https://www.changewithdignity.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/wetherhold/Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

May 18, 2026Episode 29828 min

298. Leadership Lessons from the Mat - Benjamin Chen

In the episode 298 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by entrepreneur, investor, and martial artist Benjamin Chen, author of Lessons from the Mat.Benjamin has raised more than $500 million in investment capital, helped lead multiple companies to successful exits, and spent decades training in martial arts — including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, and Hapkido.We talk about what martial arts can teach leaders about resilience, discipline, decision-making, efficiency, and staying calm under pressure. Benjamin shares how principles from the mat helped him navigate high-stakes negotiations, business growth, setbacks, and leadership challenges across industries.A fascinating conversation about leadership, awareness, and building long-term success - both in business and in life.You can connect with Benjamin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminchen88Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

May 11, 202625 min

297. The Courage to Reinvent Yourself - Wendy Valentine

In episode 297 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Wendy Valentine, speaker, reinvention expert, and author of Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose, and Play.After experiencing divorce, grief, career burnout, financial pressure, and major life changes in her mid-forties, Wendy made a radical decision to completely redesign her life. Today, she helps others break free from autopilot living and step into a more intentional, aligned, and fulfilling next chapter.We talk about reinvention, emotional resilience, leadership through life transitions, and why midlife can become one of the most powerful periods of growth and self-leadership.In this episode, we discuss:• how to recognize when you are sleepwalking through life• the mindset shifts needed for reinvention• boundaries, burnout, and protecting your energy• designing the life of your future self• why it is never too late to start overThis conversation is for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or ready for a new chapter personally or professionally.You can connect with Wendy here: https://wendyvalentine.com/ Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

May 4, 202637 min

296. The Rise of Female Leadership in Saudi Arabia - Lujain Al-Zhrani

In episode 296 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Lujain Alzahrani, leadership and women’s empowerment coach, program designer, and communication expert working at the intersection of voice, presence, and impact. Through her work in Saudi Arabia, Lujain helps women build confidence, develop their voice, and step into leadership with clarity and purpose.We talk about why voice is such a powerful leadership tool, how cultural context shapes the way women show up and lead, and what it really takes to move from self-doubt to self-expression in both personal and professional life.In this episode, we discuss:Why communication and voice are central to leadershipThe most common barriers women face when speaking upHow confidence is built through practice, not perfectionThe role of culture in shaping leadership journeysHow leaders can create spaces where others feel safe to express themselvesune in for an inspiring and thoughtful conversation about leadership, empowerment, and the courage to use your voice.You can connect with Lujain here: Lujain Alzahrani | LinkedIn Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

April 27, 2026Episode 29530 min

295. How to Build the Culture of We - Laura Kriska

In episode 295 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Laura Kriska, Harvard Business Review contributor, TEDx speaker, and author of The Business of WE. Laura has spent over 30 years working with global organizations, helping leaders close the “us vs. them” gaps that quietly undermine trust, collaboration, and performance.We talk about why division inside organizations is growing across cultures, generations, functions, and ways of working and what leaders often fail to see until it starts affecting results. Laura shares practical, research-backed insights from her work and her recent Harvard Business Review article on collaboration, showing how small, everyday behaviors can rebuild trust faster than most people expect.In this episode, we discuss:How “us vs. them” thinking shows up in teams and why it’s more common than we thinkThe subtle ways leaders unintentionally create divisionWhat actually builds trust in today’s hybrid and global workplacesWhy language, goals, and resource decisions shape team dynamicsSimple shifts that can transform collaboration almost immediatelyThis is a thoughtful and practical conversation on moving from awareness to action—and building what Laura calls a true “WE” culture inside organizations.You can connect with Laura here: Laura Kriska Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

April 20, 2026Episode 29432 min

294. Your Next Leadership Chapter - Federico Malatesta

In episode 294 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Federico Malatesta, founder of FM Transformational Coaching, executive and transformational coach, and former CIO of a $40B energy portfolio. Today, Federico works with executives and high-achievers navigating complex transitions, helping them make sense of uncertainty, understand real trade-offs, and act with intention when the old story no longer fits.We explore what happens when leadership is no longer about having the right answers, why many of the frameworks we rely on fail in real life, and how identity, context, and decision-making shift in moments of transition. In this episode, we discuss:Why leadership frameworks often break down in complex situationsWhat it means to read context instead of chasing certaintyWhat happens when the story you’ve been telling about yourself no longer worksThe myth of the “authentic self” and why it can be misleadingWhy midlife is a necessary redesign rather than a breakdownHow horses can reveal stress patterns and leadership blind spotsTune in for a reflective and insightful conversation on leadership, identity, and navigating complexity with intention.You can connect with Federico here: https://federicomalatesta.com/Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

April 13, 2026Episode 29326 min

293. Design Your Career with Intention - Bryce Batts

In episode 293 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Bryce Batts, certified career coach, AEC recruiting expert, and co-founder of Career Collective. With over 15 years of experience and more than 800 professionals placed, Bryce brings a practical and honest perspective on how careers really evolve and what it takes to grow with intention. She is also the host of the Wine After Work podcast, where she leads candid conversations on leadership, career, and life.We explore what it means to stop drifting and start designing a career that aligns with your values, how the job market is changing, and why personal branding has become a critical part of professional growth. Bryce also shares powerful insights from her work with women leaders on confidence, boundaries, and self-advocacy.In this episode, we discuss:How to design a career that aligns with your vision and valuesThe most common mistakes people make when trying to pivot or growWhat is really happening in the job market and how companies can adaptWhy personal branding matters and how to start building itTune in for a practical and insightful conversation on career growth, leadership, and taking ownership of your professional path.You can connect with Bryce here: http://www.brycebatts.co/

April 6, 202632 min

292. Leadership Evolution in High-Growth Companies - Benoy Tamang

In episode 292 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Benoy Tamang, executive coach and leadership advisor with nearly 40 years of experience building companies, leading executive teams, and coaching founders and CEOs globally. Having worked with public companies as well as multiple startups, Benoy now focuses on helping leaders scale their organizations by evolving their leadership, building strong systems, and developing high-performing teams.We explore why many companies struggle to grow despite strong products and teams, how founders often become the bottleneck as organizations scale, and what leadership evolution is required to move from founder to CEO and eventually to coach. Benoy shares practical insights on building organizations that can grow sustainably without burning out their leaders.In this episode, we discuss:Why founders often become the bottleneck in their own companiesThe leadership shift from Founder to CEO to CoachHow to create systems that allow teams to winWhy self-care is a leadership advantage, not a luxuryHow to identify blind spots and overcome unconscious incompetenceTune in for a practical and insightful conversation on leadership, scaling organizations, and becoming the kind of leader your company needs at every stage of growth.You can connect with Benoy here: https://www.techceocoach.com/Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

March 30, 2026Episode 29128 min

291. Communicating Like a Leader - Andrea Wojnicki

In episode 291 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, executive communication coach, Harvard Business School PhD, and founder of Talk About Talk. Andrea works with ambitious professionals and executives at companies like Deloitte, JPMorgan, MasterCard, EY, and PwC, helping them communicate with clarity, confidence, and credibility. Her Harvard Business Review article, A Simple Way to Introduce Yourself, became one of the top three most downloaded HBR articles in 2023.We explore why communication is one of the most underestimated leadership skills, how professionals can intentionally shape their personal brand, and what it really takes to build executive presence in high-stakes environments. Andrea shares practical, research-based frameworks that can be applied immediately, from introducing yourself to communicating with precision and impact.In this episode, we discuss:Why many professionals struggle to introduce themselves effectivelyAndrea’s simple Present–Past–Future framework for powerful introductionsWhat it means to be yourself on purpose in personal brandingHow to build executive presence through communicationThe most common communication mistakes in high-stakes situationsTune in for a practical and insightful conversation on communication, confidence, and building a strong professional identity.You can connect with Andrea here: https://talkabouttalk.com/Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

March 23, 202628 min

290. Neurodiversity as a Leadership Advantage - Sandra Crespo

In episode 290 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I’m joined by Sandra Crespo, executive coach, speaker, and mental health professional specializing in neurodiversity and leadership. Sandra works with organizations to build environments where “neurospicy” talent can thrive, combining insights from mental health, systems thinking, and leadership development. She is the creator of the S.P.I.C.Y. Framework, a strengths-based approach that helps organizations turn neurodiversity into a real advantage rather than a checkbox.We explore why traditional workplace systems often fail neurodivergent professionals, how ADHD shows up in high-performing environments, and what leaders need to understand to build teams that are both effective and sustainable. Sandra shares a refreshing perspective on leadership that moves beyond performance and productivity toward clarity, access, and human-centered design.In this episode, we discuss:Why traditional leadership models overlook neurodiversityHow ADHD can be a strength in creative and high-pressure environmentsWhat workplace systems unintentionally create friction for different brainsHow leaders can design teams and communication for clarity and effectivenessTune in for a thoughtful and practical conversation on leadership, neurodiversity, and building workplaces that truly work for everyone.You can connect with Sandra here: https://www.theneurospicysw.com/Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.