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S2:E12
In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Valerie and Julia are joined by Viktoria Kish, a global business consultant, entrepreneur, and connector with over 25 years of experience in international business education and leadership. Viktoria shares her remarkable journey from founding her first company in the Czech Republic in 1999 to guiding CEOs and founders across the globe in navigating new markets and cultural landscapes.

Viktoria reflects on leaders' challenges and misconceptions when expanding into international markets, emphasising the importance of cultural adaptation, understanding local regulations, and preparing employees for global assignments. Drawing on her extensive experience, she highlights key lessons in leadership, including the value of trust, collaboration, and authenticity in building successful teams.

Throughout the episode, Viktoria discusses her innovative approach to designing experiential learning programmes, from tailoring corporate trips to fostering meaningful connections between diverse business leaders. She offers insights into adapting business models during the pandemic and the power of connecting people to achieve mutual goals.

Tune in for an insightful conversation packed with practical strategies, leadership lessons, and a deep understanding of global business dynamics, delivered with Viktoria’s warmth, wisdom, and a touch of humour.

Key Takeaways
Cultural Adaptation is Key: Viktoria emphasises that assuming a business model that works in one country will succeed in another is a critical mistake. Leaders must deeply understand local cultures, market behaviours, and expectations to achieve sustainable success in international markets.

The Power of Authentic Leadership: Viktoria highlights the importance of authenticity in leadership, including acknowledging personal strengths and weaknesses. Building trust, fostering collaboration, and leveraging diverse perspectives are essential for creating effective and resilient teams.

Guest Information:
kish@studyprograms.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktoriakish/
http://www.theglobalexec.com/
http://www.studyprograms.com/

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S2:E11 - In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Julia and Valerie sit down with Douglas Lines, a seasoned chartered accountant and co-founder of IBEM Group, who has led transformative change across multiple continents and industries. With a career that spans corporate banking, cultural transformations, and entrepreneurial leadership, Doug shares his journey from traditional finance to becoming a champion of collaboration and innovation in complex organisations.

Doug discusses his insights on effective team collaboration, the importance of deep listening, and how he navigated challenges like the 2008 financial crisis by fostering trust and shared purpose. He explores the critical difference between transformation and true innovation, sharing practical frameworks from his co-authored book, How to Create Innovation, which provides tools to guide organisations from ideation to commercialisation.

In addition to sharing his expertise, Doug introduces his latest programme on entrepreneurial leadership, aimed at empowering leaders to adapt to today’s unpredictable world. He shares his unique philosophy of “lighting a flame in someone’s heart,” demonstrating how purpose-driven leadership and a collaborative mindset can lead to lasting organisational impact.

Tune in to this inspiring episode to learn from Doug’s wealth of experience and gain actionable insights on leading with empathy, fostering innovation, and creating a collaborative culture in any industry.

Key Learnings
The Power of Collaboration in Challenging Times: Doug’s experience leading through the 2008 financial crisis highlights how collaboration and trust can be pivotal, not only internally but also with clients. He emphasises that collective strength and aligned purpose are essential to weather difficult periods, reinforcing that true leadership is about supporting one another through tough times, not just celebrating wins.

Differentiating Transformation from Innovation: Doug discusses the critical difference between transformation and genuine innovation, a distinction often misunderstood. Transformation might improve or streamline existing processes, but innovation is about creating entirely new revenue streams, customer segments, or services. Doug’s approach encourages leaders to think beyond surface changes and build a mindset geared towards long-term, impactful innovation.

Guest Information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglaslines/
douglaslines@outlook.com
https://ib-em.com/

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In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, the spotlight turns to our co-host Julia Bend as she unpacks the power of boundaries in leadership, coaching and life.

Together with Valerie Merrill, she explores why boundaries are so often misunderstood, and how setting them with intention can boost resilience, prevent burnout and create healthier relationships — both at work and at home.

Expect honest reflections, light touches of humour and practical insights for anyone who’s ever struggled to say no. Whether you're a leader, a coach or just feeling stretched too thin, this conversation might be exactly what you didn’t know you needed.