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The Leadership Enigma

The Leadership Enigma

By: Adam Pacifico
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 For 30 years I've uncovered the best and worst of human behaviour and endeavour.Now it's time to truly understand what we mean by leadership in a chaotic world. I've delivered live events to over 60,000 around the world as a leadership expert, author, opinion columnist and barrister. Each week I'll explore the power and potential of the human being with global experts, academics, rising stars, ambitious upstarts and disruptors across sectors, disciplines and geographies as we explore 'The Leadership Enigma.'Whether you are an entrepreneur, business owner or seasoned corporate executive, this show will uncover the tools, techniques, strategies and lessons learned to catapult your leadership capabilities in preparation for success in a constantly changing landscape. The Leadership Enigma is an award winning globally ranked show powered by LaunchPod Studios. www.leadersenigma.comYouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@theleadersenigma Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.© 2024 Adam Pacifico Economics Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 236: The Anthropology of a Leader - Khairunnisa Mohamedali

    236: The Anthropology of a Leader - Khairunnisa Mohamedali
    Sep 8 2025
    In this episode of The Leadership Enigma, I am joined by Dr. Khairunnisa Mohamedali, a social scientist with over ten years of experience in organisational culture, innovation and human-centred design. Together, they uncover why anthropology — the study of people in their contexts — is one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools for modern leaders. 💡 Key Learnings You’ll Take Away from This Episode: The Power of the Outsider: Like a fish that doesn’t notice the water it swims in, leaders often miss the environment they operate in. Outsiders challenge assumptions, spot hidden patterns, and reveal the “invisible” forces shaping culture. Observation Over Assumption: Leaders are often so busy doing that they rarely stop to observe. Anthropology teaches the value of participant observation — stepping back to watch, listen, and sense the weak signals before they become problems. Diversity as an Advantage: True innovation comes when leaders create space for diverse voices and perspectives, rather than falling into the echo chamber of “this is how we’ve always done it.” Empathy in a Polarised World: With AI and social media amplifying echo chambers, leaders must practise empathy — valuing different perspectives and treating people as experts of their own lived experiences. The Human System Comes First: In 2025 and beyond, strategy and targets mean little if leaders cannot align their people around shared behaviours, belonging, and purpose. The human system is the priority — everything else flows from it. Storytelling as a Leadership Superpower: We are wired for stories. Leaders who can connect strategy, purpose, and people through storytelling build trust, belonging, and emotional engagement. 👉 Whether you’re leading a global organisation or a small team, this episode will challenge you to think differently, to see differently, and to lead with a deeper understanding of the human system at the heart of every business. Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation on why anthropology just might be the leadership skill you never knew you needed. 👍 Like, subscribe, and share The Leadership Enigma for more inspiring insights from global experts. ❓ Looking to learn more about The Smarty Train and their human-centered approach to solutions, insights and research? ➡️ Connect with Khairunnisa: www.linkedin.com/in/khairunnisa-mohamedali-phd ➡️ What we do: thesmartytrain.com/what-we-do/ ➡️ Workplace insights: https://thesmartytrain.com/insights/ ➡️ 2025 Early Careers Trends Report: https://eco.thesmartytrain.com/early-careers-trends-report
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    53 mins
  • 235: Leading London: Karen Burns: Eyes in the sky | Episode 10

    235: Leading London: Karen Burns: Eyes in the sky | Episode 10
    Aug 22 2025
    Leading London is a series of interviews with founders, entrepreneurs, disruptors and leaders all making an impact in London and beyond. The interviews were filmed at Vorboss (the internet for London business) during Tech Week from their new offices overlooking Liverpool Street. In this episode I chat to Karen who is Founder & CEO of Fyma www.vorboss.com www.fyma.ai
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    16 mins
  • 234: Leading London: Michelle Andrew: The Power of Vulnerability | Episode 9

    234: Leading London: Michelle Andrew: The Power of Vulnerability | Episode 9
    Aug 21 2025
    Leading London is a series of interviews with founders, entrepreneurs, disruptors and leaders all making an impact in London and beyond. The interviews were filmed at Vorboss (the internet for London business) during Tech Week from their new offices overlooking Liverpool Street. In this episode I chat to Michelle who is the Founder of Meeesh Unlimited Limited. www.vorboss.com
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    21 mins
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