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125 episodes

How to Succeed as an Interim CEO
07/15/2026 | 19 mins.
Interim CEO appointments are on the rise. As boards contend with increasing leadership turnover, unexpected CEO departures, and growing pressure from stakeholders, many are turning to interim leaders to provide stability while they identify the right long-term successor.

But succeeding as an interim CEO is far from straightforward. Leaders are often expected to build trust quickly, make important decisions with limited information, and create momentum across the organization—all while operating under significant uncertainty about their own future.

So, how can interim CEOs succeed in the role? In this episode of Leadership Lounge, Emma Combe sits down with Efe Ekhaese, Aimee Williamson, and Justus O'Brien—who share their perspectives on:
▪ Why boards are increasingly appointing interim CEOs
▪ The unique pressures and challenges that come with leading on an interim basis
▪ How leaders can build trust, clarity, and momentum during periods of transition
▪ What aspiring permanent CEOs should consider when navigating interim appointments

"The most fraught word in interim leadership is ambiguity. The first question that an interim CEO needs to ask is: Why am I here? What am I trying to accomplish?"
Justus O'Brien
Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

Four things you'll learn from this episode
Interim CEOs don't have the luxury of a traditional onboarding period. With limited time and high expectations, they must absorb information quickly and make decisions before they have complete certainty.
There is no universal playbook for interim leadership. Some situations require leaders to preserve stability, while others demand rapid transformation—success depends on understanding which mandate the board has given you.
Trust is built faster when leaders look beyond the executive leadership team and listen to the layers below. Engaging stakeholders across multiple levels of the organization helps interim CEOs make better decisions and build credibility more quickly.
Ambiguity can undermine even the most capable leaders. The most effective interim CEOs reduce uncertainty by aligning early with the board on expectations, authority, tenure, and long-term succession plans.

In this 19-minute episode, we will cover:
(2:26) Why interim CEO appointments are increasing
(3:09) How CEO turnover, burnout, and succession planning challenges are shaping leadership transitions
(6:06) The unique pressures of serving as an interim CEO
(8:51) Why clarity on your mandate is essential for success
(9:56) Examples of interim CEOs who have led through crisis
(13:32) How to build trust quickly across the organization
(14:10) Managing competing ambitions within the executive team
(15:58) When and how to discuss becoming the permanent CEO

A closer look at the research from this episode:
Global CEO Turnover Index | Russell Reynolds Associates
The Three Areas Boards Spend Their Time But Aren’t Seeing Results | Russell Reynolds Associates
Rewriting the Playbook: How FMF President Mikel Arriola Is Reinventing Football in Mexico
07/01/2026 | 29 mins.
World Cup madness has taken over the world. And while you’re screaming “Allez les Bleus!”, “Vamos Vamos Argentina!”, “I Believe That We Will Win!”, “It’s coming home!”, “Vamos Nippon!”, “¡Cielito Lindo”, "Olé, Olé, Olé!" or any other team chant at the World Cup, there are thousands of people who have been planning and sweating the details so that you can watch the games and cheer your team to victory.

Today, we’ll speak with someone who is leading that team in Mexico, as Marla and Tomas sit down with the Commissioner and President of Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Mikel Arriola. Mikel shares how he regrouped after a setback running for political office to step into the top roles at FMF and Liga MX. He digs into how he aligned his team to execute an audacious World Cup strategy across three host cities in Mexico, guiding the organization through the complexity, politics, and stakeholder demands of both FMF and FIFA. And he discusses how technology and AI are redefining sports.

We’ll also hear from Navio Kwok, a leadership specialist at Russell Reynolds Associates, who will share his perspective on whether the lessons learned in professional sport can help explain why so many athletes go on to become successful leaders. 

Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
How to align your leadership team and navigate complexity, politics, and stakeholder demands to execute an audacious strategy
How to regroup and move forward after a setback
How to manage competing priorities and conflicts to drive decisions
Ideas on building the culture and skills needed for technology and AI transformation

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
The Business of Football with Los Angeles Rams COO Kevin Demoff
Leadership Lounge: Why Decision-Making Is Becoming Harder for C-Suite Leaders—and How You Can Overcome It
Exploring the Art of Possible with Google and Alphabet President and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat
Leadership Lounge: How GenAI Can Elevate—And Expose—Today’s Leaders
In the Fast Lane: A Conversation with FIA CEO Natalie Robyn
Leadership Lounge: Built to Last or Built to Learn: How Leaders Can Develop Resilience

A closer look at the research from this episode:
Why Athletes Make Effective Leaders
AI and Leadership
Why Decision-Making Is Becoming Harder for C-Suite Leaders—and How You Can Overcome It
06/17/2026 | 18 mins.
The ability to make sound decisions has always been a defining leadership capability. But for today’s C-suite leaders, the challenge is greater than ever. Rapid change, increasing uncertainty, and a constant flow of information mean leaders are often required to make high-stakes decisions without having all the answers.
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, Emma Combe sits down with leadership advisors Ilana Abramowicz and Henryk Krajewski to explore why decision-making is becoming more challenging in the C-suite—and the practices leaders can adopt to make better decisions and sustain performance.

They discuss:
The forces making decision-making harder at the top of organizations
How leaders can navigate decisions when every option involves difficult trade-offs
The practical tools leaders can use to make better decisions under pressure

“Go fast where learning is cheap. Be careful where being wrong is expensive.”
Henryk Krajewski
Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates

Four things you'll learn from this episode:
Great decision-making starts with creating space to think. C-suite leaders who are “always on" risk burnout and decision fatigue, making it harder to exercise sound judgment when it matters most.
Values provide critical decision-making guardrails. When facts are incomplete and every option carries consequences, clarity about what leaders stand for helps them make difficult decisions with confidence and integrity.
Strong leaders know the difference between conviction and ego. The best decision-makers remain open to new evidence and avoid becoming overly attached to their original ideas.
High-performing executive teams bring discipline to decision-making. Clear accountability, constructive challenge, and knowing when to move quickly—or slow down—help top teams make better decisions and execute them more effectively.

In this episode, we will cover:
(02:33) Why leaders often fall into analysis paralysis
(04:12) The impact of being "always on" and how it can affect a leader’s judgment
(05:54) How personal values help leaders navigate difficult trade-offs
(10:40) How executive teams can improve decision-making through clearer decision rights
(12:53) How to avoid groupthink and create productive dissent
(14:03) The role of pre-mortems to stress-test major decisions
(15:27) The one-way-door versus two-way-door-framework for more effective decision-making

A closer look at the research from this episode:
Global Leadership Monitor | Russell Reynolds Associates
The New Leadership Portrait: Understanding & Unlocking Senior Executive Potential | Russell Reynolds Associates
Overcome Decision Paralysis: Finding Order in Chaos | Russell Reynolds Associates
Banking on Change: How Standard Chartered Group Chief Executive Bill Winters Stays Ahead
06/03/2026 | 29 mins.
Stepping into the CEO role is a challenging transition for any leader to make. It’s even more challenging when you know you’re stepping into the role at a turbulent time in an organization’s history.

Our guest today experienced that transition over a decade ago and has since built a compelling story of transformation and value creation. Standard Chartered Group Chief Executive Bill Winters joins Marla Oates and Clarke Murphy to talk about why he knowingly stepped into the role at a challenging time at the bank and what he did to restore confidence in the company. Bill shares how he manages innovation and perpetual transformation in a highly regulated industry, including how the bank is using AI, reskilling teams, and continuing to evolve with digital assets. He also unpacks how he builds relationships and trust with his board, including plans for the next CEO succession.

We’ll also hear from Henryk Krajewski, leadership advisor at Russell Reynolds Associates, who shares his perspective on how CEOs can unlock greater value in today’s environment.

Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
What are some the first steps to take to restore confidence in a company in turmoil
What are the keys to value creation and balancing innovation with risk
How to think about succession planning and working with your board
How to lead perpetual change

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
Transformation in Turbulent Times with Former Telstra CEO Andy Penn
Leadership Lounge: How New CEOs Build Productive Relationships With Their Board
Talking Tough Decisions with TCW President and CEO Katie Koch
Leadership Lounge: The Art of Succession: How to Identify Tomorrow's Leaders Today
The Necessity of Change with President and CEO of Wells Fargo Charlie Scharf
Leadership Lounge: From Firefighting to Future-Building: How Leaders Can Master Perpetual Transformation

A closer look at the research from this episode:
How CEOs Unlock the Hidden Barrier to Value Creation
CEO Succession: A Never-Ending Story
Adapt or Die in the Age of Perpetual Transformation
Code to Culture: AI-Driven Workforce Transformation in Financial Services
Leadership Lounge: Staying Sharp at the Top: How CEOs Can Use Mentors to Sustain Performance
05/20/2026 | 14 mins.
The demands of the CEO role don’t stand still—and neither can the leaders in it. Yet while many executives benefit from mentorship on the path to the top, far fewer maintain it once they arrive.

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, Emma Combe sits down with Suzanne Bose-Mallick to explore how mentorship helps CEOs sustain performance in one of the most demanding roles in business.

They discuss:
Why many CEOs stop engaging with mentors—and why that can limit their effectiveness
The moments when mentorship matters most, from succession to transformation
How mentors support CEOs in building relationships with their boards, making top team decisions, and deciding between competing priorities
The difference between a mentor and a chair—and why independence can be important

“An external mentor allows a CEO to have consequence-free conversations…a space where they can truly express their concerns.”

- Suzanne Bose-Mallick, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates

Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
Mentorship becomes more valuable at the top: The transition into the CEO role often increases the need for external perspective, not reduces it.
Challenge sharpens performance: The best mentors hold CEOs to account, helping them make better, more grounded decisions.
Independence creates space for honesty: Unlike internal stakeholders, external mentors offer a confidential environment for candid reflection and clearer thinking.
Impact depends on the CEO: The most effective mentoring relationships require preparation, openness, and a willingness to be challenged.

In this episode, we will cover:
(1:53) Why CEOs must continually evolve to stay effective
(2:38) How mentorship supports leaders through high-stakes transitions
(5:20) When to seek a mentor—and why it’s never too late
(6:53) The role of mentors in grounding decision-making under pressure
(8:44) Mentor vs. chair: understanding the difference
(10:55) What CEOs must bring to get value from mentorship
(12:31) When mentoring relationships lose effectiveness—and how to respond

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About Redefiners

Call them changemakers. Call them rule breakers. We call them Redefiners. And in this provocative podcast, we explore how daring leaders from across industries and around the globe are redefining their organizations—and themselves—to create extraordinary impact in today’s rapidly changing world. In each episode, Russell Reynolds Associates former CEO Clarke Murphy, Leadership Advisor Marla Oates, and Chief Science Officer Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, host engaging, purposeful conversations with leaders in and out of the business world who share their insights and perspectives on how they lead, boldly. You’ll come away with fresh ideas and tangible takeaways on how you can redefine your own leadership trajectory—no matter where you are on your journey. Leadership Lounge A sister mini-series to the Redefiners podcast, Leadership Lounge gives listeners unfettered access to our global team of leadership experts, who share real-world answers to your most-pressing leadership questions—from how you can give and receive feedback to the benefits of having a mentor. Hosted by RRA leadership advisor Emma Combe, each 15-20-minute episode lifts the curtain on how great leaders think, act, and lead, helping you build your own leadership muscles, whether you’re just starting out or already at the top. Our Hosts: Clarke Murphy, Marla Oates, Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, and Emma Combe : Clarke Murphy leverages 30 years of experience in the executive recruiting industry to advise on critical leadership mandates across sectors—including Fortune 100 board searches and CEO successions. Based in New York, he has provided leadership advisory services to corporations such as Duke Energy, Deutsche Bank and Siemens, as well as private equity firms including the Carlyle Group. Since joining the firm in 1988, Clarke has held several senior level roles at the firm, working both in Europe and the US. Clarke was the CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates from 2011-2021, where he led the firm through unprecedented growth. Previously, he led the CEO & Board Advisory Practice, served as Head of the Americas region, and was a member of the firm’s board of directors and Executive Committee. Marla Oates is a leadership advisor at RRA who is passionate about connecting organizations with influential leaders and trailblazers who can inspire and drive change in a rapidly evolving world. With a focus on identifying and recruiting exceptional talent for Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, and board searches, Marla has successfully partnered with hundreds of Fortune 500 organizations and private equity firms throughout the technology, industrial, and consumer sectors to identify and recruit top talent.Based in Austin, she has the privilege of fostering community and curating meaningful connections for C-suite executives and board members. Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic is the Chief Science Officer at RRA and is an international authority in people analytics, talent management, leadership development, and the human-AI interface. His commercial work has focused on the creation of science-based tools that improve organizations' ability to predict performance, and people's ability to understand themselves. He was recently the Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, and is a co-founder of DeeperSignals and MyTrudy, as well as Professor of Business Psychology at University College London and Columbia University. He has previously held academic positions at New York University and the London School of Economics, and lectured at Harvard Business School, Stanford Business School, London Business School, Johns Hopkins, IMD, and INSEAD, as well as being the CEO at Hogan Assessment Systems. As the host of Leadership Lounge, Redefiners’ sister podcast, Emma Combe leads the UK Board Practice for Russell Reynolds Associates. She excels at identifying board chairs, CEOs, and executive and non-executive directors for listed, private equity, and family-owned enterprises. She also has extensive experience advising clients on board composition and development, as well as CEO succession planning. Based in London, she brings deep expertise in the industrial, infrastructure, and services sectors, both in the UK and internationally. Since 2023, Emma has hosted Leadership Lounge, a podcast mini-series where she asks Russell Reynolds Associates’ leadership advisors to answer some of the most pressing questions facing leaders today. Emma joined Russell Reynolds Associates when The Zygos Partnership became part of the firm in 2017. Previously, Emma worked for a specialist headhunting firm advising private equity funds on the leadership of their portfolio companies. She began her career as an associate for a boutique executive search firm based in New York.

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