Strategy Hero

What drives a project to transform an organization? In this episode, Ray Collis, co-founder of Growth Pit Stop, shares his “super projects” formula—blending ambition, confidence, alignment, complexity, and collaboration. You’ll learn how successful leaders manage bold initiatives by embracing uncertainty and fostering seamless team alignment. Ray’s “pit stop” strategy—pausing to regroup and refocus—offers a practical way to navigate challenges and keep momentum. From Big Pharma’s hidden innovators to boardroom successes, Ray’s insights reveal how to turn complexity into opportunity, celebrate small wins, and ask, “What does my team need to thrive?” empowering you to lead with clarity and unlock your team’s full potential.Listeners can get an advance copy of Ray's book, Super Projects, by clicking this link.

In this episode, Hensley Sejour, Principal at Black Tech Nation Ventures, shares how a mindset rooted in curiosity and community has guided his unconventional path—from PhD chemical engineer and 14-year BP veteran to AWS product manager and now venture capital leader. Hensley reflects on pivotal career moments, including how a move to Alaska unlocked a journey toward an MBA at Carnegie Mellon and a transition into tech and investing. Drawing on experiences in process design, operations, and strategy, he unpacks lessons on stakeholder alignment, human-centered design, and the value of real-world execution before strategic planning. He also explores the parallels between oil refineries and startups, the role of mentorship in career growth, and how learning—whether from books, people, or setbacks—can be a lifelong competitive advantage. For aspiring leaders navigating career change, Hensley’s advice is clear: you’re capable of more than you think.Connect with Hensley

Roger Longden, founder and chairman of the UK's leading OKR consultancy There Be Giants, brings a wealth of experience in helping organizations excel in strategy execution. From his corporate IT background to a coaching qualification at Henley Business School, Roger's journey has spanned leading project management at Fujitsu, coaching in the North Sea oil rigs, and establishing an international consultancy that empowers businesses to thrive with OKRs. In this episode, Roger delves into the transformative potential of OKRs, emphasizing their role in fostering alignment, engagement, and cross-functional collaboration. He explains how OKRs offer an alternative to traditional "cascade" methods, empowering teams to devise solutions that connect directly to organizational objectives. Roger highlights the significance of psychological safety, trust, and inclusivity in OKR adoption, while also addressing challenges like maintaining agility in corporate settings. Connect with Roger

James Milsom, host of the Strategy Hero podcast, has spent two seasons uncovering the stories and strategies behind the world of business transformation, operational excellence, and strategy execution. As a seasoned marketer and thought leader at i-nexus, James has connected with practitioners, consultants, and unsung heroes to share their insights and experiences. In this special episode, James takes the guest seat, reflecting on his journey as a host and the evolution of the podcast. He reveals the inspiration behind the show: creating a platform that replaces the watercooler conversations lost in a remote-first world, while highlighting the voices of those on the frontlines of strategy execution. James shares lessons learned from the podcast, such as the importance of balancing structure with spontaneity in storytelling, building genuine relationships with guests, and capturing the humanity behind business strategies. He recalls standout moments, from deep conversations about leadership and culture to personal stories like the shared impact of family with Festus Akinbusoye.

In this episode, Simon Wardley, creator of Wardley Maps, explores how mapping brings clarity to strategy and complex decision-making. Wardley shares how his frustration with vague corporate strategies led to his development of the Wardley Mapping methodology, inspired by a bookstore conversation about The Art of War. Wardley Maps visually map out an organization’s strategic landscape by illustrating user needs, capabilities, and how these evolve, helping organizations understand their context and make informed decisions. Simon emphasizes that most organizations miss optimization opportunities by relying on narratives and unstructured tools, whereas mapping reveals hidden constraints, avoids unnecessary investments, and fosters collaborative, objective dialogue. From national defense to healthcare, Wardley Maps have proven valuable across industries by providing a structured approach to understanding and acting within a competitive landscape. Connect with Simon on Linkedin

In this episode, we delve into the extensive career of Paul Niven, a renowned expert in strategy execution with a focus on the balanced scorecard and OKR (Objectives and Key Results) frameworks. Paul shares his journey from public accounting to pioneering the balanced scorecard in the early 1990s, leading to significant improvements in organizational performance. He has since authored several influential books and collaborated with over 500 organizations worldwide. Paul discusses the evolution of the balanced scorecard, particularly its application in Fortune 500 companies, and explores the transition to OKRs, which provide greater flexibility and autonomy for employees at all levels. He advocates for a hybrid approach that integrates both models, emphasizing the importance of setting specific, challenging goals and the need for internal champions to drive successful OKR adoption. The conversation also touches on the future of OKRs and their potential integration with broader management systems, as well as the importance of continuous learning for professionals in strategy execution. Connect with Paul Niven on LinkedIn.

In this episode, we delve into the career journey of Garvan Callan, an expert in strategy, transformation, and leadership. With a rich background that includes roles at Danske Bank and the Bank of Ireland, Garvan has honed his focus on digital innovation over the past 18 years. This experience culminated in the creation of his advisory practice, ONEZERO1, where he helps business leaders develop and implement transformative strategies. Beyond his advisory work, Garvan contributes to the community through his book, “Digital Business Strategy,” and his teaching fellowship at Trinity Business School. Join us as we explore Garvan’s insights and experiences in simplifying complexity and driving impactful change.Connect with Garvan

In this episode, Ryan Henson, the CEO of the Coalition for Global Prosperity talks about building a network of relationships and an internal culture to drive change on a global scale.His work has built an organization that is educating the senior political leaders of the UK on the changes needed in international development and social mobility. The lessons in this episode can be applied to any organization looking to build a change culture.Connect with Ryan on Linkedin