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The Executive Edge

The Executive Edge

By: Sue Firth
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 The Executive Edge is the podcast that gives you an edge in life and business with practical skills that you can apply to achieve and maintain success. Hosted by UK psychologist and business adviser, Sue Firth. The show is a mix of interviews, tips, business insights and inspiration.Sue Firth Ltd Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • The Leadership We Need - with Maria Brinck

    The Leadership We Need - with Maria Brinck
    Jan 22 2026

    Episode 225

    Released January 22, 2026

    Episode Overview

    In this episode, I'm joined by Maria Brinck, leadership consultant, public speaker, and author of The Leadership We Need. Maria shares her remarkable journey from corporate America to the rainforests of Cameroon, and explains why the leadership models we've relied upon for generations are no longer fit for purpose. This is an essential conversation for any leader ready to challenge conventional thinking and create meaningful, lasting change.

    About Maria Brinck

    Maria Brinck is the founder of Zynergy International and a certified StrengthsFinder coach with a background that spans Swedish nature reserves, corporate boardrooms, and the Congo Basin Rainforest. Originally from Sweden, Maria spent eight years in executive sales within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry before a pivotal moment prompted her to leave it all behind. She travelled to Cameroon to work with the rehabilitation of chimpanzees and gorillas, an experience that fundamentally transformed her understanding of leadership, purpose, and what truly matters.

    Key Takeaways from This Episode

    Finding inner balance: Maria discusses how, despite achieving external success, she felt a profound lack of inner balance in her corporate career. Many high-achieving professionals can relate to this sense that something essential is missing, even when the numbers look good on paper.

    The limits of hyper-masculine leadership: The conversation explores how workplaces dominated by competition, decisiveness without reflection, and quota-driven cultures can become unsustainable. Maria argues this isn't about men versus women—it's about finding balance between masculine and feminine qualities in all of us.

    Creating (not finding) purpose: Maria offers a refreshing perspective on purpose. Rather than waiting to 'find' your purpose—which she suggests is only for the lucky few—she encourages leaders to actively create purpose based on their strengths and values.

    Incentivising the right behaviours: Want to shift your organisation's culture? Maria's practical advice is clear: put collaborative, inclusive behaviours on performance plans with financial incentives attached. Use 360-degree feedback to ensure these behaviours are genuinely being demonstrated.

    Practical assessments for teams: Maria's book includes three assessments that can be used individually or with teams, including the Barrett Value Assessment and her own Zenergy Q12 for creating purpose. A powerful question to consider: Where do you feel most alive?

    Why This Matters for Leaders Today

    With global workforce engagement at just 23% and disengagement costing trillions annually, the case for a new approach to leadership has never been stronger. Maria challenges us to move beyond outdated models built on dominance and short-term thinking, towards leadership that serves both people and planet. Whether you're leading a team of five or five hundred, the principles in this episode offer a genuine path to creating cultures where people thrive.

    Connect with Maria Brinck

    🌐 Website: www.mariabrinck.com

    💼 LinkedIn: Maria Brinck

    📚 Book: The Leadership We Need is available on Amazon and all major online bookshops

    Done! I've updated the show notes so they read from Sue's perspective ("I'm joined by...") and removed the "Don't Miss This Episode" section.

    Done! I've updated the show notes so they read from Sue's perspective ("I'm joined by...") and removed the "Don't iss This Episode" section.
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    30 mins
  • Selling Your Business: What Nobody Tells You About Letting Go

    Selling Your Business: What Nobody Tells You About Letting Go
    Jan 8 2026
    Episode 224 Released January 8, 2026 This week I'm joined by James Gardner, a fellow Vistage member who's been on quite a journey – from building a manufacturing business with his brother over nearly two decades, through its sale, to running a funeral director businesses in Kent. James now mentors business owners through acquisitions, post-acquisition challenges, and the transition out of businesses. What struck me most was James's honesty about the emotional reality of selling a business. We hear the success stories – the champagne corks, the celebration – but rarely what comes next. James opens up about what he describes as the worst 18 months of his life, despite having more money in the bank than ever before. From Dressing Table to International Business James's story begins around 2000, when his brother spotted a gap in the market. His first few days in business were spent at his sister-in-law's dressing table with a laptop and a fax machine. From there, they moved to a leaky farm building, then a garden shed they'd insulated themselves. They grew internationally, with James flying to their US operation 13 times in one year. These things sound glamorous but really aren't, he reflects – time away from family, friends, and other opportunities. But they worked hard, treated people well, and delivered on every promise. The Sale – and What Came After When the right buyer came along – one who could preserve jobs and accelerate their plans – the brothers took the leap. They were lucky to be on the same page; family partnerships often break down. James stayed on after the sale through a gentleman's agreement. Senior positions were promised. The reality didn't match the brochure. The first 6 to 18 months were the unhappiest of his life. He had more money than ever, yet felt imprisoned. The golden handcuffs, as he calls them – yes, they're gold, but you're still handcuffed. What resonated with me was his reflection on control. When you've built something, oversight and strategy flow through you. Then suddenly, that stops. You may be mentally ready to hand over, but are you emotionally prepared? As James put it: 'You're literally handing your baby over to somebody else to raise, whilst you're still in the room.' Rolling the Dice Again Things eventually improved, and James went on to run the larger UK department. But he asked himself: do I want to do this for another 25 years, or roll the dice? In 2019, he chose to move on. Wanting something recession-proof, he remembered working as a trainee funeral director years earlier and approached that same business owner. Ten days after signing in March 2020, the country went into lockdown. He now runs four funeral directors in Kent. Key Insights It's people, people, people. Treat your team well first. Then your customers. Then – and this often gets forgotten – your suppliers. When something goes wrong, you want to be at the top of their list. Plan your exit properly. A short handover works better than staying on indefinitely. And if you don't have a plan for life after the sale, the sudden absence of purpose can be devastating. Communication is everything. The root cause of most relationship breakdowns is communication. Having someone in your corner to sound-check decisions is invaluable. Connect with James James now mentors business owners through acquisitions, post-acquisition challenges, and the transition out of businesses. Website: amazing3dgoals.com (that's the number 3) LinkedIn: James Gardner Youtube: Amazing Leaders James's story reminds us that business people are not immune. We have highbrow ideas about building something, but we're not always ready to let it go. The sale can look like the ultimate success, but the emotional journey is far more complex than the financial transaction. Ready to be a better you in 2026? Is something troubling you? Playing on your mind or feels as if it's stuck somehow? Are you tired of problems that you can't seem to solve? Or are you at a crossroads because things just aren't the way you want at work or maybe in the home? Does it feel like a struggle? Do you have unrealistic pressures on you? Are there many issues, but you aren't sure what to do first. Or do you need to get your head clear so that you can focus? Whether things just aren't going right, or you're struggling with a specific problem, I can help. Through 1-on-1 meetings, (whether face to face, or online), I build a better you. But I aim to do so in 3 sessions, or less. My focus is always on delivering results quickly. To learn more, just reach out and we can set up a time for a free exploratory call to discuss how I could help you.
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    34 mins
  • Building Culture Through Strategic Internal Communication

    Building Culture Through Strategic Internal Communication
    Dec 11 2025
    Episode 223

    Released December 11, 2025

    Guest: Alejandra Ramirez, Founder of Ready Cultures

    Episode Overview

    In this episode, Sue is joined by Alejandra Ramirez, an internal communications specialist with nearly 20 years of experience helping service-driven businesses shape their culture from the inside out. Together, they explore why so many organisations struggle to turn their values into lived reality—and what leaders can do about it.

    The Culture Gap

    We've all seen it: values proudly displayed on office walls that bear little resemblance to how things actually work day-to-day. Alejandra explains that whilst companies often start with the best intentions when defining their vision and values, they frequently forget to bridge the gap between what leadership wants to say and how employees actually receive it.

    The cost of this disconnect shows up in ways that aren't always traced back to culture—high turnover, low engagement, internal politics, and slower decision-making. As Alejandra puts it, "Your culture is only as strong as your communication."

    The 3-H Framework

    To help leaders communicate more effectively, Alejandra introduces her 3-H Framework: Head, Heart, and Hands.

    Head – Is your message clear? Do people understand what's happening and have access to the facts they need?

    Heart – Does it connect emotionally? Have you explained why this matters to them personally and to the success of the organisation?

    Hands – Is there a clear call to action? Do people know exactly what they need to do differently as a result?

    Alejandra shares a real-world example where a company had launched a valuable internal tool, but without strategic communication around it, the tool simply sat unused. By auditing where the breakdowns were and applying the 3-H Framework, she helped them successfully relaunch with far greater adoption.

    Crisis-Proofing Your Culture

    Sue and Alejandra also discuss the importance of what Alejandra calls "crisis-proofing"—building strong communication habits during good times so that when challenges arise, your people are already primed to listen and trust what you're telling them.

    The conversation touches on those uncomfortable "undercurrents" that exist in many workplaces—the new competitor being built down the road that everyone can see but nobody's discussing. Alejandra emphasises that people aren't stupid; they notice what's being avoided. Leaders who address these elephants in the room, rather than hoping they'll go unnoticed, build far stronger trust with their teams.

    The Hidden Cost of Poor Communication

    One of the most striking points in this episode is the hidden cost of cultural breakdown. As Sue notes, by the time a valued, long-standing employee hands in their notice, they've usually been mentally leaving for quite some time. The institutional knowledge they take with them is often irreplaceable.

    Even high achievers will burn out and leave if the goalposts keep shifting and there's no clarity on how to get from A to B. Process, she reminds us, is communication—and without clear, consistent processes, productivity and morale both suffer.

    Key Takeaways

    Internal communication isn't just meetings and memos—it's a leadership skill that turns strategy into action and values into lived culture. Whilst many organisations invest heavily in external PR and messaging, the same rigour is rarely applied internally. Getting this right consistently can be the edge that sets your organisation apart.

    Connect with Alejandra Ramirez

    Website: readycultures.com – Download the 3-H Framework workbook directly from the homepage
    LinkedIn: Alejandra Ramirez-Wells
    Email: alejandra@readycultures.com

    Thank you for listening to The Executive Edge. If you found this episode valuable, please subscribe and share it with a fellow leader who could benefit.
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    31 mins
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