Stepsero

Hosted by Matteo Casini

Business Management

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Episodes

107

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Modern work is demanding. Even for people who are good at what they do, the human complexity around it can be exhausting. Stepsero is a podcast for professionals who want to feel less overwhelmed by it all. Every episode is a focused, honest conversation on one of the topics that make modern work challenging: leadership, communication, difficult conversations, AI, mental well-being, and more. No filler. No hour-long rambles. One short conversation at a time, towards a little more clarity.

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60 recent

June 15, 202620 min

#107: Why Executive Transitions Fail More Often Than You Think

Executive transitions are more fragile than most people assume. 40% of executive appointments fail within the first 18 months, not because of technical incompetence, but because of people, politics, and culture. And yet organisations continue to spend 90% of their budget on selection, and only 10% on supporting the executive once they are in the role. In this episode, we speak with Navid Nazemian about what actually goes wrong, and what a more deliberate approach to transition looks like.We discuss why the skills that get you hired into the C-suite are rarely the ones that determine whether you succeed, what Marshall Goldsmith’s “what got you here won’t get you there” really means in practice, and why vertical development (expanding how you think, not just what you know) matters more than most executives realise. Navid also walks us through his Double Diamond Framework©, a seven-phase approach to executive transitions spanning twelve to eighteen months. We touch on the pre-onboarding phase, stakeholder mapping, and why phases one and seven (the ones that bookend the entire journey) are almost always the first to get skipped. Our Guest: Navid Nazemian Navid Nazemian is the world’s #1 executive coach, ranked by CEO Today three years running, and the international bestselling author of Mastering Executive Transitions. A former global HR leader at Vodafone, Roche, and BAT, he has coached 350+ executives across five countries — more than half of them CEOs. He’s the creator of the Double Diamond Framework© and lives in Dubai. References: Navid Nazemian LinkedIn profile Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

June 9, 202621 min

#106: How Salaries Are Set, And How to Negotiate Yours

Most employees spend their careers feeling confused about compensation, how it works, what’s negotiable, and what’s actually going on behind the scenes. In this episode, Sandrine Bardot breaks down how salaries are actually set, what professionals consistently get wrong about negotiation, and why the psychology of pay matters more than most people realise. From how companies build and allocate salary budgets to the best moments in your career to push for more, to the concept of procedural justice and why it shapes whether employees accept or reject pay decisions, this is the compensation conversation most workplaces never have. Our Guest: Sandrine Bardot Sandrine Bardot is a senior Performance and Reward advisor, founder of The Bardot Group, and a Transformational Performance and Reward Architect working at the intersection of strategy, governance, executive compensation, performance, and human capital. With more than 30 years of experience mostly across EMEA, including over a decade advising organisations across the Middle East, Sandrine brings deep technical reward expertise, corporate leadership experience, regional judgement, and Board-level advisory perspective. She advises Boards, Nomination and Remuneration Committees, CEOs, CHROs, Heads of Total Rewards, family business leaders, and senior decision-makers on the performance and reward systems behind strategy execution. Her work spans executive and Board remuneration, incentives, reward governance, performance management, job architecture, pay equity and transparency, nationalisation- linked reward design, pre-IPO readiness, and the modernisation of legacy reward models. Before founding The Bardot Group, Sandrine held senior Performance and Reward roles at Majid Al Futtaim and Mubadala, and worked with organisations including Apple, Microsoft, Airbus, Philips, and Fiat. She is known for her candour, cultural intelligence, and ability to help organisations design reward systems that are practical, explainable, governable, and defensible under scrutiny. References: Sandrine Bardot LinkedIn profile Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

June 8, 202619 min

#105: Reinvention in the Age of AI: When Identity holds you Back

Technology moves fast. People, not so much. And the real transformation, according to Nikki Barua, is human, not technical. The conversation gets into what genuine reinvention actually requires. Skills matter, mindset matters, but the number-one blocker she’s found among thousands of professionals worldwide is identity. The title, the status, the credibility built over a career become the very things that keep you stuck. Letting go of that identity is what reinvention actually demands. For people early in their careers, the opportunity now is to identify your zone of genius, pair it with AI fluency, and stop looking for a safe, linear path, because that path no longer exists. The episode also touches on Ikigai as a way to navigate early career decisions, why education needs to teach people how to think and handle uncertainty, and why Nikki, a self-described “painfully shy introvert”, never followed the networking advice and actively prefers building real friendships over traditional networking. Our Guest: Nikki Barua Nikki Barua is a serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, bestselling author, and globally recognized expert on transformation. She is the CEO & Co-Founder of FlipWork, the transformation partner helping organizations reinvent their culture, capabilities, and competitive edge for the AI age. For over 25 years, Nikki has worked with some of the world’s most iconic brands, guiding them through digital transformation, workforce reinvention, and organizational change at scale. She knows firsthand that technology is only half the equation; the real breakthrough comes from building the people and culture ready to use it. As a tech entrepreneur who has built and scaled high-growth businesses, Nikki brings both the strategic lens of a leader and the hard-won wisdom of someone who has navigated disruption herself. Her personal journey from humble beginnings to building global companies has made her a sought-after voice on resilience, reinvention, and what it actually takes to lead through change. Her story has been featured in CNBC, Bloomberg, Fortune, and Forbes. Nikki has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by ACE, honored as an EY North America Entrepreneurial Winning Woman, included in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Women, recognized as one of the 21 Leaders for the 21st Century, and celebrated as a Woman of Influence by The Business Journals, and Top Entrepreneur by Comerica Bank & LA Lakers. References: Nikki Barua LinkedIn profile www.nikkibarua.com www.flipwork.ai https://www.nikkibarua.com/newsletters/reinvention-roadmap/subscribe Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

June 4, 202617 min

#104: Human First, AI Second: Own Your Thinking

Over-relying on AI might be quietly eroding your sharpest thinking, and most people aren’t noticing until it’s too late. This episode covers the real cost of convenience: why the overwhelm around AI isn’t going away, how to spot the difference between intentional use and lazy use, and what brain atrophy actually looks like in the workplace. We also get into what leaders should watch for when team members are over-relying on AI, and why treating AI like a junior employee, one you onboard, train, and correct, gets you far better results than using it like a search bar. If you’ve ever quietly wondered whether you’re leaning on AI a little too much, this one’s for you. Our Guest: Leanne Shelton Featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Australian, ABC News, The Sydney Morning Herald, Money Magazine, The CEO Magazine, Mumbrella, Inside Small Business, and various podcasts, Leanne Shelton is CEO, Global AI Coach, and Keynote Speaker at HumanEdge AI Training. She is also the author of AI-Human Fusion, published by Major Street Publishing in June 2025, a LinkedIn Top Voice in AI, and an AI educator at TAFE NSW. With her 9-year-old SEO copywriting agency struggling to convert in a tough economic climate in early 2023, Leanne made the ultimate business pivot. She decided to embrace (not escape) her shiny, new, and free competitor – ChatGPT – by educating herself on the topic. With decades of writing, marketing, and training skills in her back pocket, she started to teach (non-techy) business leaders about AI prompt engineering – with the human touch. The Sydney-based entrepreneur is now a sought-after keynote speaker for summits and conferences and an experienced AI team trainer – ensuring smooth AI skill development and implementation via workshops, three-month immersive programs, and free public masterclasses. She also hosts The HumanEdge Roundtable, an intimate leadership series bringing together senior executives for candid conversations on human-first AI adoption. Her talents have taken her to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on multiple occasions, as well as Brisbane and Melbourne. Outside of work, Leanne is a newly converted running and gym enthusiast, lover of dance, daily meditator, occasional yogi, engrossed reader and Audible consumer of business books and psychological thrillers, a dedicated partner, and frazzled mum to two tween daughters. References: Leanne Shelton LinkedIn profile AI Human Fusion: A non-techy human-first approach to AI for busy leaders Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

June 2, 202616 min

#103: The Art and Science of Storytelling in Leadership

What makes a story land in a corporate setting, and what kills it? In this episode, Dr Gian Power OBE breaks down why leaders who rely on facts alone fail to move people, how to structure a story that drives real behaviour change, and what the biggest enemy of good storytelling really is (what he calls “the explainer”). We explore the fine line between authentic vulnerability and performative storytelling, the neuroscience behind why stories change how people act, and how AI is already becoming a powerful tool for leaders who want to communicate with more impact.If you lead people, speak to audiences, or simply want to communicate with more impact at work, this episode is for you. Our Guest: Gian Power OBE Dr Gian Power OBE is the Founder & CEO of TLC Lions, dedicated to humanising the working world. His work has supported 300+ of the world’s largest companies, including Amazon, Google, Rolls-Royce, and Visa, and now reaches over 15 million airline passengers via TLC Lions content onboard Emirates and Virgin Atlantic. After time at Deutsche Bank and PwC, Gian’s life changed following a personal family tragedy. This experience became the catalyst for his mission – to make workplaces more human, connected, and emotionally intelligent. In 2025, he was awarded an OBE for services to Mental Health, recognising his transformative impact on leadership and workplace culture. Now a sought-after keynote speaker, Gian addresses global audiences on human leadership, wellbeing, and storytelling, helping leaders create trust, resilience, and high-performance cultures. Beyond TLC Lions, Gian is a proud Ambassador for the Missing People charity and co-author of Survive and Thrive with Reebok’s Founder, Joe Foster. His work has been recognised by Forbes, the BBC, Business Insider, and his impact has been backed by the UK Government and No. 10 Downing Street. References: Gian Power OBE LinkedIn profile www.tlclions.com Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

May 31, 202617 min

#102: Creativity at Work, and Why We Stay Stuck

Most of us have said it at some point: “I wish my work was more creative.” And then stopped right there. In this episode, Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, Senior Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of The Creativity Choice, speaks about what keeps professionals stuck at that wish, and what it really takes to move beyond it. Zorana challenges the idea that creativity belongs only to artists, designers, or people in R&D. Drawing on the science of creativity and emotional intelligence, she explains why creativity is not a talent you either have or don’t, but a set of choices that anyone can learn to make. Our Guest: Zorana Ivcevic Pringle Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, Ph.D. , is a Senior Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of The Creativity Choice. Her research explores how people build creative confidence, manage the emotions that accompany ambitious goals, and turn ideas into meaningful accomplishments.Drawing on the science of creativity and emotional intelligence, she studies why promising ideas stall—and what helps individuals persist through doubt, resistance, and uncertainty to bring their ideas to life. Her writing has appeared in Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, Forbes, Fast Company, and Vox. Zorana received research awards from the Mensa Education and Research Foundation and the American Psychological Association, and she speaks at and works with organizations such as Pintrest, Lego, Oglivy, Facebook, and others.Her work highlights that creativity is not a rare gift, but a set of choices and emotion skills that anyone can cultivate to bring meaningful ideas to life. References: Zorana Ivcevic Pringle LinkedIn profile www.zorana-ivcevic-pringle.com Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

May 28, 202617 min

#101: How to feel less trapped and show up better at work

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a loop (work, home, repeat), this conversation is for you. Julia Romanova brings an unusually human-centred lens to how we navigate change. In this episode, Julia introduces two powerful frameworks that reframe how we relate to ourselves, our colleagues, and the world around us. Radical Connectedness is the idea that we each exist across three interconnected dimensions (personal, group, and societal). When you recognise them, you stop taking things personally, you build more resilient teams, and you start acting with greater awareness. The Third Space is something we’ve quietly lost in modern working life. It’s not work. It’s not home. It’s the place where you reconnect with who you actually are, and without it we struggle to recover our energy and feel increasingly trapped.A sharp, practical conversation for anyone navigating modern work. Our Guest: Julia Romanova Julia Romanova is a Berlin-based communication strategist, trainer, and change facilitator with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of politics, business, and society. Currently working in corporate communications and change management, she specialises in transformation communication, helping organisations not just navigate change, but make it land with the people it affects most. With a background spanning German Association for SMEs, StartUps, and her own practice as a Rational Games Trainer for organisations like Microsoft, the German Foreign Office, and ESMT, Julia brings a rare blend of strategic thinking, creativity and human-centred communication. Her academic background in linguistics, a diploma in acting and certifications in Change Management (IHK) and Leadership gives her a uniquely embodied understanding of how people connect, resist, and transform. References: Julia Romanova LinkedIn profile Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

May 26, 202615 min

#100: Ego in leadership: Why two CEOs aren’t the answer

This episode was inspired by a Financial Times article titled “Why Co-CEOs Might Suit Our Tumultuous Times.” In this conversation with Executive Coach Costas Kalisperas, we use it as a springboard to dig into something most of us have felt but rarely name: what leadership ego actually looks like day to day, how it ripples through an entire organisation, and why putting two leaders at the top often creates more problems than it solves. We also get into what genuine empowerment looks like in practice, and the questions great leaders ask that most never do. Our Guest: Costas Kalisperas Costas is the Founder & CEO of In Tune Executive Coaching. His focus is on helping leaders to be in tune with themselves and their environment, tap into their inner resourcefulness and manage their interactions with others more effectively. To know more about Costas, please visit any of the links below. References: Costas Kalisperas LinkedIn profile www.intune-exec.com Why co-CEOs might suit our tumultuous times Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

May 24, 202619 min

#99: How to give a presentation that actually lands

Most business presentations fail for the same reason: we confuse the slides with the message. Andrea Pacini has spent his career helping business leaders fix that.Andrea is the author of “Confident Presenter” and “Timeless Presenter”, and head of Ideas on Stage UK. In this conversation, we explore why simplicity is so hard to apply even when everyone agrees it’s the right approach, what Steve Jobs’ iPhone launch can teach us about business communication, and the one principle from Timeless Presenter that Andrea wants every presenter to remember.We also get into the difference between a slide deck and a document, and why confusing the two is one of the most common and costly mistakes in business communication.A practical and honest conversation for anyone who presents, pitches, or communicates ideas at work. Our Guest: Andrea Pacini Andrea Pacini is the author of Confident Presenter and the upcoming Timeless Presenter (2026). He’s a presentation coach and Head of Ideas on Stage UK. He specialises in helping business owners, leaders and teams deliver clear presentations to prospects – presentations that guide potential clients to the next step. In 2024 he was awarded Best Virtual Speaker in The Speaker Awards. Andrea is on a mission to stop strong ideas from failing because of unclear communication, especially in client-facing situations. His vision is to help hundreds of thousands of business leaders inspire their audiences, increase their influence, and make a positive impact in the world. References: Andrea Pacini LinkedIn profile www.ideasonstage.com/uk Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

May 20, 202616 min

#98: AI is not replacing you: It’s moving you up the stack

The dominant narrative around AI and work is built on fear. But is the replacement narrative historically illiterate, and is there a more nuanced argument to make?”. Tessa is the founder and CEO of HireGains.ai, an AI-powered platform, and author of the Human Centric AI newsletter on Substack. In this conversation, we explore three converging forces reshaping the future of work: remote work, generational shift, and AI, and what they mean for knowledge workers trying to figure out where they stand. We also get into the idea of moving up the stack, what it means, why the repetitive transactional work AI takes over is actually an opportunity rather than a threat, and what Tessa believes a good day at work looks like in 2030. A rare and genuinely optimistic take on a topic most people approach with anxiety. Our Guest: Tessa James Tessa James, CEO and Founder of HireGains.ai, is a talent strategist at the intersection of psychology, organisational transformation, and human-centred technology. With 20 years of experience spanning corporate leadership, talent acquisition, and product thinking, she has worked across global organisations to strengthen teams, accelerate hiring, and reduce misalignment at every level. Tessa’s work is grounded in a simple but often overlooked truth: hiring isn’t broken: our understanding of humans is. That conviction drives her work building HireGains.ai, a next-generation hiring platform that goes beyond matching and automation to help companies see people fully: their skills, alignment, motivation, and the energy they bring to a team. She believes the future of work belongs to organisations that understand humans as deeply as they understand technology, and she’s building the tools to make that possible. References: Tessa James LinkedIn profile Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes