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Sandy on Talent - Insights and Strategies for Leadership Excellence and Talent Optimization

Sandy on Talent - Insights and Strategies for Leadership Excellence and Talent Optimization

By: Sandy Ogg
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 Think about the worst job you've ever had. What made it so? How did you feel about yourself and your abilities while you were stuck in that awful position? Welcome to Sandy on Talent, where we discuss the unfortunate reality of good talent going to waste and uncover how business leaders can unlock hidden potential in themselves and others to achieve personal and organizational growth. Join Sandy and his renowned guests for insightful and honest discussions on executive leadership, talent optimization, and entrepreneurial success. Now think of the best job you've ever had. It felt entirely different, didn't it? Our mission is to help everyone find fulfillment, dignity, and success in their jobs. We call that magical union "click" —the moment talent perfectly aligns with their role, connecting abilities and superpowers to tangible value, and everyone wins. Whether you're a CEO, business executive, ambitious employee, or an entrepreneur, our insights are tailored to provide actionable strategies for harnessing potential and driving organizational success. Host Sandy Ogg brings over three decades of experience as a CEO advisor, talent expert, and entrepreneur. He founded CEO.works and has served as an operating partner at Blackstone Group and as CHRO of Unilever. Throughout his career, Sandy has collaborated with top global business leaders, gaining insights into the consistent practices that drive value for stakeholders. He leverages this knowledge to develop talent-focused tools to help leaders and organizations thrive in today's economic environment. On our podcast, Sandy and his guests will tackle one of the top issues highlighted in every CEO annual survey: the persistent shortage of talent where it's needed most. Through thought-provoking conversations, they will address burning questions like "How do we hire the best people?" "Is the organization talented enough?" "Is the hierarchy dying or already dead?" And, "Why do transformations fail?" If you're ready to transform your approach to leadership and talent, join us for Sandy on Talent, where we ignite the spark that propels individuals and organizations toward excellence.2024 Career Success Economics Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • 027: The Power of Curiosity, Coaching, and Click: Alisa Cohn on Leadership That Lasts

    027: The Power of Curiosity, Coaching, and Click: Alisa Cohn on Leadership That Lasts
    Dec 11 2025
    In this wide-ranging and deeply personal episode of Sandy on Talent, Sandy Ogg sits down with world-renowned executive coach Alisa Cohn to explore the leadership traits, career decisions, and personal instincts that shape high-impact executives. Cohn, recognized globally for her work with CEOs and founders—from Foursquare to Google—offers a rare look into the forces that shaped her own career and the patterns she observes in leaders who succeed as their responsibilities scale. Alisa shares stories of individuals who dared to follow their internal compass, even when societal norms dictated otherwise. We explore narratives of career navigation, where initial paths seemed pre-determined yet ultimately gave way to fulfilling ventures in coaching and entrepreneurship. Hear how personal alignment and the courage to embrace one's true aspirations can lead to remarkable professional growth and satisfaction, even when it means veering into the unknown. The episode also highlights the significance of staying true to oneself in an ever-evolving work environment. In this episode, you will hear: Alisa Cohn's inspiring journey from college halls to a global executive coach, guiding C-suite leaders and major corporations.The power of effective communication and strategic facilitation in career development.Navigating non-linear career paths with courage and authenticity, emphasizing the importance of following one's internal compass.Building a successful coaching practice through networking, incremental steps, and seizing unexpected opportunities.Insights on creating value and purpose in the workplace by aligning personal aspirations with organizational roles.Emphasizing the importance of authenticity, strategic consulting, and the courage to pursue a path that resonates deeply with one's passions. Resources from this Episode Alisa's profile in First Round Review - https://review.firstround.com/the-feedback-founders-need-to-hear-%E2%80%94-how-to-grow-yourself-to-grow-the-company Alisa's podcast with Tim Ferriss - https://tim.blog/2021/10/19/alisa-cohn/ Alisa's book From Start-up to Grown-up - https://www.amazon.com/Start-Up-Grown-Up-Grow-Leadership-Business/dp/1398601381/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3MYW4EEHGNQ16&dchild=1&keywords=from+startup+to+grown+up&qid=1623150243&sprefix=from+startup%2Caps%2C237&sr=8-3 You can get Alisa's "5 Scripts for Delicate Conversations" tool (and join thousands of other people who love her newsletter) here - http://www.alisacohn.com/scripts/ AlisaCohn.com Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/ X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • 026: Unleashing Potential: Harish Manwani's Leadership Journey from Unilever to Private Equity

    026: Unleashing Potential: Harish Manwani's Leadership Journey from Unilever to Private Equity
    Nov 27 2025

    Global business leader Harish Manwani shares his incredible journey from a management trainee to Unilever's Chief Operating Officer, revealing his passion for teamwork and strategic execution in the world of business. Harish's story is not just about climbing the corporate ladder but discovering the "joy of business" through leadership roles across diverse markets like India, Argentina, and North America. Listen as Harish delves into his leadership philosophy, which emphasizes the synergy of teams and the excitement of achieving tangible results together, a drive that continues to fuel his roles beyond Unilever.

    The episode is packed with strategic insights as Harish recounts key leadership lessons from his career, such as the significance of aligning teams with a clear vision and the concept of "everyday great execution" to drive business success. He navigates through the complexities of cultural differences encountered in global leadership, underscoring the importance of adapting and inspiring across different regions while maintaining a focus on shared objectives. From the competitive challenges faced in Argentina to the relentless pursuit of growth in Asia, Harish's experiences offer a nuanced understanding of effective leadership in a global context.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    • Leadership lessons on aligning teams with vision and executing strategies
    • Navigating cultural differences in global leadership and fostering team synergy
    • Transition from Unilever to private equity with Blackstone, emphasizing mutual growth
    • Insights on recruiting for cultural fit and the significance of role alignment
    • Career transitions and the importance of curiosity and continuous learning
    • Building energized teams and finding joy in transforming plans into successful outcomes

    Connect with Sandy Ogg:

    Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/

    X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent

    Instagram: @SandyOnTalent

    Follow and Review:

    We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
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    57 mins
  • 025: When Conversations Get Hard: How to Achieve Skillful Communication Under Pressure with Molly Tschang

    025: When Conversations Get Hard: How to Achieve Skillful Communication Under Pressure with Molly Tschang
    Nov 13 2025

    Molly Tschang—the mastermind behind Say it Skillfully and Abella Consulting—shares her journey in guiding executives through complex changes and fostering team cohesion. Her work in over 80 mergers and acquisitions at high-profile companies like Cisco and US Filter underscores her expertise and passion for effective communication. Molly's bestselling book, co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith, "Say it Skillfully: Speak Up, Make Your Words Matter, Win Together," further cements her reputation as a catalyst for personal and professional transformation. Our conversation explores her achievements as a TEDx speaker and her dedication to organizations like Community Solutions and NetHope, highlighting her commitment to positive impact.

    Throughout our discussion, we reflect on personal growth through adversity and the development of confidence. I recount my own college struggles, the pivotal decision not to transfer, and the unexpected job offer from IBM that altered my career path. These stories illustrate the importance of embracing challenges, balancing ambition with emotional well-being, and leveraging skillful communication. We also examine the power of aligning personal values with organizational culture and how embracing the "Say it Skillfully" framework empowers individuals to tackle tough conversations with confidence.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    • Molly Tschang's journey from personal adversity to becoming a transformative leader and communication expert
    • The creation and impact of "Say it Skillfully" as a framework for effective communication
    • The role of effective communication in successful mergers and acquisitions at companies like Cisco
    • Balancing ambition with emotional well-being and embracing challenges for personal growth
    • Navigating career shifts, taking calculated risks, and the value of mentorship and professional development
    • The importance of aligning personal values with organizational culture for authentic leadership

    Resources from this Episode

    As mentioned, love to offer all your subscribers free access to my mini-audiobook sneak peek of the simple and powerful "Me—You—We" framework—a game-changer for expressing yourself skillfully and listening with intention. https://sayitskillfully.zoundy.com/me-you-we1

    Website: https://www.sayitskillfully.com/

    Connect with Sandy Ogg:

    Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/

    X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent

    Instagram: @SandyOnTalent

    Follow and Review:

    We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

    Episode Credits

    If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 10 mins
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