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Most leaders say they’re ready for change. Very few are ready to lead when the answers are incomplete, trust is not yet earned, and the pace keeps accelerating.
In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, Andrea Petrone sits down with Francesca Lagerberg, CEO of Baker Tilly International, to explore what leadership really demands in today’s environment: building trust fast, making decisions without perfect information, leading through ambiguity, and creating the kind of mindset that helps organizations adapt at scale.
Francesca shares what it was really like stepping into the CEO role as an outsider, how she approached her first 90 days, why trust must be earned before strategy can land, and what leaders often misunderstand about leading change in large, complex organizations.
This conversation also goes deeper into the future of leadership: the role of AI in knowledge-based businesses, how companies should think about upskilling talent at scale, why diversity of thinking matters more than ever, and what it actually feels like to carry the responsibility of the CEO seat.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to build trust and credibility in a new leadership role
- Why the best CEOs make decisions before all the information is available
- What it takes to lead change at scale inside a complex organization
- The difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset in leadership
- Why repetition, consistency, and role modeling are critical in transformation
- How AI is reshaping knowledge work and leadership development
- What Francesca has learned about pressure, resilience, legacy, and the real meaning of being a CEO
If you’re a CEO, senior executive, founder, or aspiring leader navigating growth, pressure, and uncertainty, this episode will give you a practical and honest look at what world-class leadership requires now.
Subscribe for more conversations with world-class leaders on leadership, transformation, CEO mindset, and decision-making in high-stakes environments.
Timestamps
[00:00] - Teaser and introduction of Francesca Lagerberg
[02:48] - Walking into a new organization as an outsider
[04:39] - Building trust and credibility as a new CEO
[07:21] - The 90-day plan, quick wins, and resisting pressure to move too fast
[09:09] - A non-linear career path across audit, tax, advisory, and beyond
[11:28] - Leading through change on incomplete information
[16:32] - Communicating strategy through repetition across 50,000 people
[22:11] - The fusion of humanity and AI in knowledge-based industries
[24:32] - Rethinking retention and maximizing shorter tenures
[30:03] - Being the first woman to lead a global accounting network
[33:44] - Diversity of thinking and the empty chair technique
[38:39] - What it really means to be a CEO and why it's worth it
[41:16] - Handling pressure and the power of collaboration
[46:03] - Legacy, going for it, and advice for aspiring CEOs
[47:47] - Trusting your gut, building great teams, and keeping your humor
Follow Our Guest
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescalagerberg/
Website: https://www.bakertilly.global/
Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on:
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone
Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/
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If you’re a CEO, senior leader, or aspiring executive navigating change, this conversation with Francesca Lagerberg offers valuable guidance on earning trust, leading through ambiguity, and building momentum in complex organizations.
