Lancefield on the Line

• Kurt Matzler: How to achieve the impossible

  What does it take to push yourself to the absolute limit and keep going for a cause bigger than yourself?Imagine you’re cycling 3,000 miles in 12 days on no more than 2 hours sleep a day. You feel exhausted, with nothing left to give, but important decisions need to be made to achieve your goal.This was the reality for my guest in this episode, Kurt Matzler, one of the world’s most cited strategy professors and an elite ultra-endurance cyclist who has completed the Race Across America, often described as the toughest race in the world.We dive into how Kurt blends his expertise in strategy with the demands of ultra-cycling: from meticulous planning and team building to the mental resilience needed to ride for 22 hours a day across deserts and mountain ranges.It’s a conversation that will inspire you to think bigger, plan smarter, and persist longer. And perhaps, to take on a challenge you once thought impossible.“Be willing to do everything that is needed to achieve your big goal” – Kurt MatzlerYou’ll hear about:Race Across America: the world’s longest bike raceThe role of purpose in endurance challengesBalancing training with work and familyBuilding mental toughness before the raceThe power of delegating decisions to a teamLessons from setbacks and resilienceCreating a high-performance support crewWhy strategy means saying noTurning big goals into smaller milestonesThe impact Kurt wants to have on the worldAbout Kurt Matzler:Kurt is professor of Strategic Management at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. According to Brightline Initiative he is one of the best strategic thinkers in the world. He is academic director of the Executive MBA program at MCI in Innsbruck and partner of IMP, an international consulting firm, the winner of the hidden champions in consulting in the field of disruption in Germany. Kurt is author of more than 300 academic papers and several books. He is co-author of the German edition of the Innovator’s dilemma, one of the six most important management books overall (Economist). He is author of The High Performance Mindset (2023, among the 10 best business books of 2023, Forbes), co-author of "Open Strategy" (MIT Press,  2021, according to the Strategy+Business Magazine the best strategy book of 2021) and "Digital Disruption" (2016). With more than 35,000 citations in Google Scholar and an H-Index of 82, Kurt belongs to the top 20 strategy researchers in Europe and to the top 50 in the world. He is included in the John Ioannidis Stanford University’s database of the world’s top 2% of scientists in all disciplines. He is a passionate cyclist and a solo finisher of the Race Across America 2022 and 2025, Race Around Austria, Northcape4000 and Ultracycling World Champion 2024 (Master class). With his participation in RAAM, his Rotary team raised more than USD 4,500,000 to eradicate Polio.Resources:Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurt-matzler-99206b7/Book: https://shorturl.at/zPdnLMy resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get aheadSubscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversationFor more details about me:● Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.● About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.● Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)● Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)● Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

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• Mita Mallick: Learning from a bad boss

  What happens when your boss is the problem?A good boss can inspire you and be a catalyst for your career, whilst bad bosses limit your potential, putting the brakes on your trajectory.In this conversation with Mita Mallick, author of The Devil Emails at Midnight, we explore the behaviours that make bosses bad, and the lessons we can take to become better leaders. Mita shares raw, funny and moving stories from her career, showing how toxic dynamics shape us, and how inclusion and vulnerability can transform workplaces.We discuss why kindness is still seen as weakness, the warning signs that you might be slipping into bad boss territory, and how to handle life’s toughest moments, such as grief, while still leading with integrity.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re bringing out the best in your people, or if you’re stuck with a boss who doesn’t, this episode will give you the tools and courage to flip the script.“Hurt people hurt people.” – Mita MallickYou'll hear about:·      Personal stories of bad bosses·      Why kindness is seen as weakness·      Warning signs you’re a bad boss·      Nature versus nurture in leadership·      How grief affects leadership behaviour·      The myth of bossless organisations·      Coaching instead of micromanaging·      Options when stuck with a bad bossAbout Mita Mallick:Mita Mallick is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. She’s on a mission to fix what’s broken in our workplaces. She’s a corporate change maker with a track record of transforming businesses and has had an extensive career as a marketing and human resources executive.Mallick is a highly sought-after speaker who has advised Fortune 500 companies and start-ups alike. She is a LinkedIn Top Voice and was named to the Thinkers 50 Radar List. She’s a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Adweek, and Entrepreneur. Mallick has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Forbes, Axios, Essence, Cosmopolitan Magazine and Business Insider.Resources: Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mita-mallick-2b165822/Services: https://www.mitamallick.com/Book: https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Emails-Midnight-Leaders-Bosses/dp/1394316488/My resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

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• Neri Karra Sillaman: What immigrant entrepreneurs can teach us

  Immigrant entrepreneurs have an outsized impact in business and society.80% of billion dollar startups have founders or senior executives who are first or second generation immigrants. So, what can we learn from them?In this episode I am joined by Neri Karra Sillaman, author of Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs. Neri’s research shows that immigrant entrepreneurs have a unique ability to reframe failure. Something she has done herself as a refugee turned entrepreneur.Neri shares how constraints can be turned into an advantage for entrepreneurs as they look to blend their home and new cultures in the services and products they create.She underscores the importance of quality, community, and a focus on impact rather than personal gain. Lessons many leaders could learn to improve their organisations.“Immigrant entrepreneurs don’t hear “no” the way that you do” – Neri Karra SillamanYou'll hear about:• How immigrant entrepreneurs reframe failure as fuel for growth.• The role of community in building resilience and drive.• Why a clear, long-term vision sustains entrepreneurial momentum.• Why integrity and quality matter more than rapid scale.• The personal sacrifices behind building a meaningful business.• How cross-cultural identity becomes a strategic advantage.• The mindset shifts needed for true business longevity.About Neri Karra Sillaman:Neri Karra Sillaman is an author, advisor, and entrepreneur whose work focuses on business longevity, innovation, and impact. She is the author of Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs, recognized as one of Thinkers50’s Top 10 Best New Management Books in 2025. Neri was also named to the Thinkers50 Radar List as one of the 30 management thinkers shaping the future of work.As the founder of her luxury leather goods brand, a company established more than 25 years ago, she combines entrepreneurial experience with research-driven insight. Neri is an Entrepreneurship Expert at the University of Oxford and holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge.As a child refugee, she draws on her journey of resilience and adaptation to advise leaders on purpose, culture, and long-term success.Resources:Website: www.nerispeaks.comBook: https://amzn.to/45T5p4CProfile: https://tinyurl.com/34rf2rrxInstagram: https://tinyurl.com/3dupup2mMy resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

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• Pim de Morree: How to build self-managing organisations

  Given the chance, how would you design an organisation from scratch?I bet it wouldn't look close to what we see in many established organisations. You’d want more autonomy, greater transparency and less bureaucracy. Well, what if that were possible?In this episode I am joined by Pim de Morree, Co-founder of Corporate Rebels, to explore self-managed organisations. Pim shares insights from his experience creating environments where employees thrive, and organisations excel, with not a manager in sight.Pim's expertise offers a masterclass in rethinking traditional management and embracing a future where work is both meaningful and impactful for all involved.So, are you ready to revolutionise how you lead and run your organisation?“Decentralised decision-making fosters innovation and agility in modern workplaces” – Pim de MorreeYou'll hear about:●      How self-managed organisations prioritise autonomy.●      The ways employees take ownership and lead without traditional hierarchical constraints.●      Why self-managed organisations see higher levels of employee engagement and satisfaction.●      Full transparency and accountability are critical.●      How decision-making distributed across teams can foster innovation and agility.●      The cultural shifts required to transition to a self-managed organisation. About Pim de Morree:Pim de Morree, co-founder of Corporate Rebels and Krisos, embarked on an entrepreneurial journey after leaving a frustrating corporate job. His passion for reimagining the workplace drove him to travel worldwide, studying pioneering organisations. He shares his insights on the Corporate Rebels blog, in books, and through their global platform for self-managing organisations.At Krisos, an impact fund, Pim and the team acquire traditional companies and transform them into forces for good. The award-winning firm is recognized for its innovative approach in combining self-management with alternative ownership structures, creating better jobs, more equality, and a systemic change in the role of business in society.Resources:• Profile: https://tinyurl.com/arv7c668• Masterclass: https://tinyurl.com/2kbmk56n• Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/47r3tenc• Books: https://tinyurl.com/msfvwxtpMy resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

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• Camilla Kring: How to work better with our rhythms

  Are you a night owl or a morning lark?For many of us the traditional working day just doesn’t suit our circadian rhythms. We’re called into a meeting or slumped over a desk at 8am but hyper focused as we’re about to leave the office and head home. What if work took our biological clocks into account?In this episode I am joined by Camilla Kring, author of Chrono leadership. We talk about the costs of rigidity in work patterns, and what it takes to develop smarter, more flexible arrangements.Camilla’s ideas are revolutionary; she talks about taking the bias away from the 5am club and creating better conditions in the workplace for all. Surely that is something we would all want to get behind.So, when do you perform at your best during the day?“Synchronise your work, family, and biological rhythms for real performance.” - CamillaYou'll hear about:·      How circadian rhythms dictate our natural sleep and wake cycles.·      Why understanding your chronotype can enhance productivity.·      The fact most people are not morning persons, yet workplaces favour early risers.·      How living out of sync with your internal clock can harm health.·      Flexibility in work hours can lead to higher productivity and well-being.·      Trust in employees being crucial for implementing flexible work schedules.·      Why synchronising work and family rhythms can improve life quality. More about Camilla:Camilla Kring, as the founder of Super Navigators, has dedicated the last 20 years to helping individuals navigate their lives and organisations create flexible and inclusive work cultures that accommodate different chronotypes and family structures. She has worked across Europe, China, Latin America and the Middle East with companies including Abbott, Medtronic, Roche and Novo Nordisk.Camilla's insights have been featured in the New York Times, the BBC and the Guardian. She is the author of six books and a TEDx speaker. She holds a Master of Science in Engineering and a PhD in work-life balance from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Resources:• Profile: https://www.camillakring.com/about-camilla/ • Book - Chronoleadership: https://www.camillakring.com/books/ • Supernavigators services: https://www.supernavigators.com/   My resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

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