What does it really take to lead at the very top, and how do you stay true to yourself when the responsibility keeps growing?
In this episode of Leading 4 Life "Stories", I'm joined by Malcolm Gomersall, CEO of Grant Thornton UK, for a fascinating and refreshingly candid conversation about leadership, personal growth, transformation and creating opportunities for others.
Malcolm's journey from being the first in his family to attend university to leading one of the UK's major professional services firms has been anything but straightforward. He talks openly about his early struggles, the setbacks that shaped his career and the moment he realised that trying to be somebody else simply wasn't working.
We explore the realities of becoming CEO, the importance of trusting and empowering people, and the challenges of leading significant organisational change. Malcolm also shares his perspective on external investment, AI, the changing world of professional services and the importance of developing future talent.
Perhaps most importantly, we discuss his passionate commitment to social mobility and his belief that people shouldn't have to rely on luck to succeed.
Among the themes we explore:
- Finding your own authentic leadership style
- The responsibilities and realities of becoming CEO
- Empowerment, delegation and avoiding micromanagement
- Leading transformation and embracing uncertainty
- AI and the future of professional development
- Social mobility and creating opportunities for others
- Learning from setbacks and disappointments
- Why leaders should make themselves redundant
- The importance of bravery, curiosity and relentless honesty
What particularly struck me was Malcolm's combination of ambition, humility and genuine concern for the people around him. His three leadership principles - authenticity, simplicity and relentless honesty - provide a wonderfully straightforward foundation for anyone aspiring to become a better leader.
Which of those three principles matters most to you, and why?
If you enjoy the conversation, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who might benefit from Malcolm's insights.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Watch the full conversation on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/JYwqvukKU_Y
CONNECT WITH MALCOLM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malcolmgomersall/
Website: https://www.grantthornton.co.uk/
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What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.
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CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON
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https://leading4life.co.uk/
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