March 2024

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

Dive into an enlightening conversation with James Burstall, Chief Executive of a renowned production group, as he shares his journey from journalism to leading a thriving media empire. 

With captivating anecdotes and candid reflections, James unveils the essence of true leadership, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and emotional intelligence in navigating today’s ever-evolving business landscape. 

Discover valuable lessons on fostering creativity, building resilient teams, and thriving amidst crises, as James offers practical insights drawn from his extensive experience. 

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or an aspiring entrepreneur, this interview promises to inspire, empower, and equip you with the tools to excel in your own leadership journey. 

Tune in for a dose of wisdom, humor, and actionable advice from a visionary leader shaping the future of media and entertainment.

You can find James Burstall at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesburstall/
• https://jamesburstall.com/

In the interview, James shares

• “We are a truly diversified group producing content across all platforms from TikTok to IMAX and everything else in between.”
• “I’ve always liked that kind of entrepreneurial, trying things out and also not having people breathing down my neck and telling me what I can and can’t do.”
• “Business is not a P and L. Business is a collective of people.”
• “Use that as a lesson, what is there in that I need to learn? And in that particular lesson, I needed to learn that you’ve got to treat your clients, you’ve got to treat your people with respect, and then they will come back and work with you again.”
• “We’re living in a time of permacrisis. We are constantly facing these challenges. So we need to be flexible and nimble in our mindset.”
• “Emotional intelligence for me is probably one of the most important skills that I have.”
• “Being real and being authentic is an essential part of being a leader.”
• “My company, Argonaut, will always be there for you. And you can tap in and you can use our expertise as people, our relationships, our skills in legal, commercial, business affairs, editing, PR, HR, we can provide all of those services as the handrail.”
• “A lot of my job working with creative people is trying to marry between giving talent, talented people space to do their work and help them where I can to develop their ideas.”
• “I wrote it to be a conversation. I wrote it to be purposeful. I wanted to put down in writing our experiences, not just from my group, but from leaders in various sectors who have battled their way through difficult times.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

Embark on a riveting journey with Muhammad Idriss, Executive Director for Alight Sudan, as he shares his remarkable rise from humble beginnings to leading one of Sudan’s largest humanitarian organizations.

In this insightful interview, Idriss delves into the profound impact of his early experiences on his decision to pursue a career in humanitarian work.

With over two decades of experience, he offers invaluable leadership lessons, emphasizing the importance of courage, compassion, and continuous learning in navigating the complexities of crisis response.

Discover how Idriss’ unwavering dedication to community engagement and mental well-being inspires both his team and the wider world to drive positive change in the face of adversity.

You can find Mohammed Idriss at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammedidriss/
• mohammedmanidrissahmed@yahoo.com

In the interview, Mohammed shares

• “I am Muhammad Idriss, Executive Director for Alight Sudan, but I started from a humble Sudanese background.”
• “I joined humanitarian work out of curiosity and because I grew up in a small community where uplifting someone gave hope.”
• “My background in public health led me to volunteer, even though it was a job, to work in displaced population camps.”
• “Every day in humanitarian work is a combination of devastation, aspiration, and hope.”
• “It takes great courage and character to make tough choices in humanitarian work.”
• “Listening to people, regardless of education or experience, teaches us something new every day.”
• “We need to balance engaging at a high level with understanding the needs of our people on the ground.”
• “In humanitarian work, co-creation with the community places us in a better position to understand their needs.”
• “Continuous learning, listening, and adapting are essential on this journey of humanitarian work.”
• “As leaders, we must prioritize mental health, teamwork, and supporting one another, especially in challenging environments.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

Join us in this insightful interview with Andres Klaric, where we delve into his remarkable journey from Bolivia to Wall Street and beyond. 

With a background deeply rooted in the automotive industry and finance, Andres shares invaluable lessons learned along the way. 

From growing up with limited resources to now leading a thriving tech company, his experiences offer a unique perspective on resilience and adaptability in leadership. 

Discover how his upbringing shapes his approach to entrepreneurship and learn actionable strategies for navigating challenges, fostering a culture of excellence, and balancing work with personal passions. 

Get ready to be inspired and equipped with practical insights for your own leadership journey!

You can find Andres Klaric at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/andresklaric/

In the interview, Andres shares

• “I’ve always had this goal of coming to America and competing at the highest level. I thought about the U.S. as the land of opportunity.”
• “Growing up in Bolivia, you learn to be a little more scrappy, dealing with very few resources. It’s something that perhaps I would have missed had I not grown up here.” 
• “Sometimes I get shocked by the cost of things in the U.S., even after 20 years. It’s important to be frugal, but where are you frugal?” 
• “Recognizing that frugality could get in the way of making big decisions is crucial. Having someone to counter that is important.” 
• “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do? I’m very open to having my mind changed if someone presents better facts.” 
• “I want to make financial institutions more efficient because the ultimate beneficiaries are humans, trying to get access to credit for education or small businesses.” 
• “Convincing people that our platform can make a difference is a challenge. Building this operating system for lenders is worth pursuing.” 
• “In the process of building, I don’t forget the other things that matter in life. We have families, and those things are fundamentally important.” 
• “Creating a culture that outlives your presence in the room is vital as the organization grows. It’s about setting a foundation for scalability.” 
• “Feedback loops that are codified in the organization are crucial. Culture needs some codes, so everyone can hold each other accountable.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

Join us for an insightful interview with Siddharth Kajaria, CEO and founder of Telex, a tech agency revolutionizing the way businesses approach technology. 

In this engaging discussion, Siddharth shares his journey from humble beginnings to scaling his second startup, Tailwebs, highlighting the challenges and pivotal moments along the way. 

Gain valuable insights into navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, transitioning roles as a leader, and the importance of continuous self-learning in staying ahead in today’s fast-paced world. 

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or aspiring leader, this interview promises inspiration, practical wisdom, and actionable strategies to tackle your own leadership challenges with confidence.

You can find Siddharth Kajaria at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddharthkajaria/
• siddharthkajaria@gmail.com

In the interview, Siddharth shares

• “We are your tech partners, helping you navigate the complexities of technology decisions and execution.”
• “Our journey began with a realization of the gap in the market for end-to-end tech solutions, leading us to establish Tailwebs.”
• “As entrepreneurs, every phase brings its own set of challenges and tough choices, from defining our USP to scaling our business.”
• “Our vision is to empower businesses globally by providing top-notch tech consultancy and helping them build exceptional teams.”
• “In the next three years, our focus is on expanding our presence in key markets while executing cutting-edge tech projects.”
• “Expanding internationally poses immediate challenges like establishing a physical presence and adapting to different cultures.”
• “As a leader, my challenge lies in transitioning roles effectively and ensuring our team aligns with our company’s evolving priorities.”
• “My strength lies in being a tech consultant, driven by a passion for solving business challenges and scaling ventures.”
• “Streamlining internal processes has been crucial in reclaiming work-life balance and ensuring not all problems come to me.”
• “Continuous self-learning is essential for staying ahead in the ever-evolving entrepreneurial landscape and leading with expertise.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

Dive into an engaging conversation with Rupesh Kumar, CEO and Founder of Addict International, as he shares his journey from being a developer to a successful entrepreneur. 

In this insightful interview, Rupesh discusses the challenges he faced in starting a company amidst a pandemic and how he overcame them with determination and resilience. 

Gain valuable insights into leadership, cultural differences, and the importance of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. 

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or aspiring entrepreneur, Rupesh’s story offers inspiration and practical wisdom for navigating the unpredictable landscape of business with confidence and purpose. 

Tune in and discover how to turn setbacks into opportunities and lead with empathy and courage in today’s dynamic world.

You can find Rupesh Kumar at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupeshtech/
• rkumar@ariqt.com

In the interview, Rupesh shares

• “As a developer, what we do is we always build new things, and when we are building things, we are basically, that’s mainly to solve a problem.”
• “Being a developer by heart also, I think developers need guidance to become a good developer.”
• “There were many problems, many challenges, but we solved them one by one.”
• “Pandemic was a kind of a challenge for us, but that taught us a lot and changed our whole perspective of working.”
• “The challenges were quite a lot, especially starting up a company and convincing your new clients that you have to trust me.”
• “The journey has been fantastic. I have enjoyed, I’m still enjoying every single bit of it.”
• “Just technology and focusing on technology is not enough for the success of our business.”
• “Cultural gap between India and Netherlands was a challenge, and we took each challenge one by one.”
• “Leadership has to be empathetic as well as rebellious.”
• “Your entrepreneurial journey has to be purpose-driven. You must find your purpose.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

Embark on an insightful journey with Himanshu Arya, a dynamic entrepreneur, as he shares his remarkable story from founding Grapes Digital in 2009 to venturing into the world of pre-owned luxury cars with Luxury Ride. 

In this engaging interview, Himanshu delves into the challenges of transitioning leadership styles within Grapes Digital, offering valuable insights for those grappling with building sustainable and independent teams. 

As he candidly discusses the shift from digital marketing to the unorganized luxury car industry, Himanshu reflects on the unique challenges of finding trainable talent in family-run businesses. 

Join us for an uplifting conversation that explores the delicate balance between personal and professional life, and gain actionable advice on leadership, entrepreneurship, and navigating uncharted business territories.

You can find Himanshu Arya at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/itshimanshuarya/
• himanshu.arya@luxuryride.in

In the interview, Himanshu shares

• “In 2009, as a 24-year-old boy, I started Grapes Digital with zero liabilities, realizing that delaying my entrepreneurial journey would only increase the responsibility on my shoulders.”
• “The seed for entrepreneurship was planted in a small town called Karnal, leading me from hotel management to wealth management, ultimately realizing that business was the path to financial success.”
• “Transitioning from the founder and CEO of Grapes Digital to the world of luxury cars, my focus shifted to the unorganized and nascent pre-owned luxury car industry, opening doors to new challenges.”
• “In 2015, a conscious decision to transform Grapes Digital’s leadership model led to departmentalization, creating space for diverse leadership styles, and paving the way for the company’s autopilot mode by 2021.”
• “Starting Luxury Ride, I faced the unique challenge of a talent deficit in the pre-owned luxury car segment, where family-run businesses dominate, making finding trainable individuals a significant hurdle.”
• “Observing successful businesses, I’ve learned to stay open to new insights and perspectives, understanding that not everything requires my personal expertise, and seeking advice from experts can lead to innovative solutions.”
• “Conservative in my personal life but aggressively pursuing professional growth, my journey is defined by the joy I find in moving forward and driving the next level of success.”
• “From founding Grapes Digital in 2009 to acquiring a majority stake in Luxury Ride, my entrepreneurial journey reflects a constant drive to explore and conquer diverse business landscapes.”
• “Balancing 90% of my attention on Luxury, 10% on family, and the roots of my journey in a small town, I’ve embraced the ethos that entrepreneurship is the way forward for those seeking substantial success.”
• “As a first-generation entrepreneur, transitioning from a government job background, I faced skepticism, but the decision to pursue business in 2009 remains a testament to the belief that real success lies in the entrepreneurial path.”