In this episode of the Leadership Spark Podcast, Sylvain discussed with Harvard Business School professor Linda Hill about her new book "Genius at Scale", and her research on innovation and leadership. Hill emphasizes that innovation is a collective effort, requiring leaders to foster environments of collaboration, experimentation, and learning. She introduces the roles of Architect, Bridger, and Catalyst, sharing case studies like Mastercard’s transformation under Ajay Banga. Hill highlights the importance of curiosity, psychological safety, and systemic thinking, offering practical insights on building innovative cultures and leading change in complex, rapidly evolving organizations.

Show notes:

• Linda Hill Faculty profile
• Book “Genius at Scale” by Linda Hill
• Book “Collective Genius” by Linda Hill
• Book “The Reflective Practitioner” by Donald Schön
• Video “How to Build Teams of Innovators” with Linda Hill
• HBR article “Why Great Innovations Fail to Scale” by Linda Hill, Emily Tedards and Jason Wild

sylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this episode of the Leadership Spark Podcast, Ludovic Subran, Group Chief Investment Officer at Allianz and Senior Fellow at Harvard University, shares insights on leadership, economics, and innovation. He discusses the power of storytelling in economics, the transformative potential of AI and alternative data, and Europe’s evolving global role. Ludovic emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, the importance of clear frameworks, and the balance between kindness and accountability in leadership. He highlights how empathy, adaptability, and intellectual curiosity drive effective teams and decision-making.

Show notes:

• Ludovic Subran LinkedIn profile
• United Nations Worldfood Programme
• Book: "Grit” by Angela Duckworth
• Book “First 90 Days” by Michael D. Watkins
• Book “Investing in a Changing Climate” by Ludovic Subran

sylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this Leadership Spark Podcast episode, Sylvain welcomes back Harvard professor Ranjay Gulati to discuss his new book, Courage: How to Be Bold. They explore the difference between risk and uncertainty, and how courage means acting purposefully despite fear. Ranjay shares multiple stories of everyday and extraordinary courage, from disaster response to personal challenges. The episode highlights that courage is a learnable skill, essential for leaders and individuals navigating today’s unpredictable world, and is deeply connected to purpose and human connection.

Show notes:

• Book: "Courage: How to be bold” by Ranjay Gulati
• HBR Article: “Now is the time for courage” by Ranjay Gulati
• Book: “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin de Becker
• Book: “Radical uncertainty” by John Kay and Mervyn King

sylvainnewton.com/podcast