The Leadership Enigma cover art

The Leadership Enigma

The Leadership Enigma

By: Adam Pacifico
Listen for free

About this listen

 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
  • 224: Being mum to Myles Lewis-Skelly: Marcia Lewis

    224: Being mum to Myles Lewis-Skelly: Marcia Lewis
    Jul 1 2025
    What does it take to raise a football star while staying grounded in love, learning and loyalty? In this powerful and personal episode, I sit down with Marcia Lewis, proud mum and agent to Myles Lewis-Skelly—Arsenal and England’s 18-year-old sensation and one of the most talked-about young players in football today. But this conversation isn’t about hype. It’s about humanity. Marcia shares the real journey behind the headlines—from getting her first agent call when Myles was just 11, to juggling grassroots joy with elite-level pressure. As the spotlight on Myles grew, so did Marcia’s determination to understand the system—and protect her son within it. So, she studied football business. Became a licensed agent. And created No.1 Fan Club, the UK’s first parent-led platform offering support, guidance, and community to parents navigating the intense world of youth football. We talk candidly about safeguarding wellbeing, making tough decisions, managing expectations, and the emotional rollercoaster of academy life. We also reflect on the good old days, like when Myles and my son Sam played together at Aldenham School—under the brilliant Mr Cornock. Whether you’re a parent, coach, fan or just curious about the world behind the beautiful game, this is a story of fierce love, big dreams, and the power of staying grounded—no matter how high the stakes. And yes, I do ask Marcia what her proudest moment has been so far… but you’ll have to listen to find out. www.no1fan.club
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • 223: Being Basil Fawlty | Adam Jackson-Smith

    223: Being Basil Fawlty | Adam Jackson-Smith
    Jun 15 2025

    What happens when John Cleese personally selects you to play Basil Fawlty in the West End revival of one of the most iconic sitcoms in TV history? If you're Adam Jackson-Smith, you say yes… and then quietly panic. In this special episode of The Leadership Enigma, we go behind the curtain with the man trusted to resurrect Basil on stage. Adam shares the rollercoaster ride from virtual auditions (complete with tweed jacket and moustache) to 300+ physically demanding performances that quite literally sweated the weight off him. From Zoom auditions with Cleese himself to hilarious backstage stories (including what Jonny Vaughan whispered before curtain up), Adam lifts the lid on the resilience, leadership, and full-body slapstick needed to become a comedy legend — without simply mimicking one. 🎬 Hear about: The surreal moment John Cleese said, “You’re my Basil.” Why preview night made every nerve jangle. The hidden pressures of leading a West End cast. And why his most stressful performance wasn’t opening night. Whether you're a fan of Fawlty Towers, the theatre, or just love a tale of high-stakes transformation, this episode is a brilliantly funny and deeply human story about legacy, leadership, and living up to legends. 📺 Hit play, don't mention the war, and definitely don’t miss this one. #LeadershipEnigma #FawltyTowers #JohnCleese #BasilFawlty #WestEnd #ActingLife #BehindTheScenes #comedylegends This episode was powered by "Where The Evidence Takes Us" is available from Amazon Connect with Kevin O'Leary (Red Leadership) https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevoleary/ https://www.redleadership.co.uk/
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • 222: Olivier Award for 'Giant' | Mark Rosenblatt

    222: Olivier Award for 'Giant' | Mark Rosenblatt
    Jun 1 2025
    In this powerful and timely episode, Adam sits down with Olivier Award-winning director-turned-writer Mark Rosenblatt, the creative force behind Giant, the searing and sensational play that explores the genius and the darkness of Roald Dahl. Starring the legendary John Lithgow—who also took home an Olivier for Best Actor—Giant dives deep into the tangled web of brilliance, grief, controversy, and antisemitism that surrounded one of the world’s most beloved and most complicated authors. Recorded in front of a live audience in central London to mark the 20th anniversary of The Heart Cells Foundation, this episode celebrates creativity, courage, and the quiet revolution of stepping into your truth. Just three days before filming, Mark received his own Olivier at the Royal Albert Hall, presented by Ewan McGregor and Elizabeth Debicki. In an emotional and honest conversation, he shares what it felt like to be recognised for his first-ever play and the journey that took him from self-doubt to centre stage. Mark reveals how the seed for Giant was planted when Sir Nicholas Hytner casually suggested he might try writing—an idea that sat dormant until lockdown gave him the space to bring it to life. Inspired by his own childhood love of Dahl’s stories, and compelled by the writer’s antisemitic remarks during the Lebanon War era, Mark began to unpick the moral complexity of Dahl’s legacy. Rather than cancelling Dahl, Mark chose to examine him—with empathy, intellectual honesty, and a dramatic lens that lets the audience grapple with their own beliefs. We talk about the emotional weight of writing as a British Jew exploring antisemitism, the tension of launching a controversial play amid the Israel-Gaza conflict, and how Dahl’s personal tragedies—from his daughter’s death to his son’s life-altering accident—informed both his work and Giant itself. With John Lithgow perfectly cast as Dahl (thanks to Hytner’s inspired suggestion) and Elliot Levey winning Best Supporting Actor, Giant has become one of the most talked-about plays in the West End. A Broadway transfer is on the cards. This episode is a tribute to the healing power of art, the bravery of reinvention, and the impact of asking bold questions in a world that often demands easy answers. Special thanks to The Heart Cells Foundation for their incredible work and for hosting this unforgettable live event. www.heartcellsfoundation.com admin@heartcellsfoundation.com
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins

What listeners say about The Leadership Enigma

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com.au reviews

Amazon Reviews
No Reviews are Available
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.