Ep 30: What makes a leader in 2026?
Episode 30
These leaders weren’t following a blueprint. They were learning to trust the moments that redirected them.
Dave Allen CEO,Brandpie
Modern leadership isn’t shaped by perfect plans, but by pivotal moments, adversity, curiosity, and ultimately by authenticity.
We’re stepping back from the individual stories we’ve explored on Pivot Points so far, to explore these deeper themes that emerged across our conversations with some of the world’s most fascinating leaders.
I chose to go to an expensive university in the US, against my mentor and my father’s advice, and had to pay for the whole thing myself. It was not an easy thing, but it was the right thing.
Steinar Sønsteby CEO, Atea
Key takeaways from this episode:
- Curiosity is the spark that helps you seize opportunities
- Leaders adapt when their career path doesn’t go to plan
- Hardship forges resilience, so don’t shy away from adversity
- Spend more time on your people, not on your plan
I just had this epiphany in the middle of the night where I thought, ‘No, that’s not who you are’. So I wore a red dress, took my hair down, and got the job being authentically me.
Sarah Walker‑Smith CEO, Ampa
Subscribe to stay up-to-date
Share this page
Related Topics
