This episode was filmed in front of a live studio audience at Vorboss in central London. Kevin O'Leary spent 30 years as a police officer with the Metropolitan Police retiring as a Chief Superintendent. Kevin was also, now famously, episode No.1 of The Leadership Enigma which started during the pandemic.

This episode is a fascinating insight into the world of crime and punishment including undercover policing, hostage negotiation, stolen vehicles, riots, serial killers and more.

Kevin decided to become a police officer after he was robbed at knife point at 14 years old and the police solved the crime and actually recovered his bicycle.

As a very young probationary police officer Kevin found himself policing the miner's strike in the 1980's during the time Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister and also the Broadwater Farm riots which involved the murder of PC Keith Blakelock, all providing Kevin with a baptism of fire into the world of policing.

Kevin's time with the Stolen Vehicle Squad was his initiation in the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and learning how to carry a case load of allocated reactive investigations.

In 1999 Kevin became involved in the Admiral Duncan Pub bombing. He was around the corner on an unrelated surveillance operation when the bomb was detonated. At the scene, Kevin was faced with chaos and destruction. As one of the first on scene his ability to make quick decisions and prioritise were tested to the max.

As a police officer and leader, picking up on 'weak signals' is a must in a world of constant change. Kevin tells the story of dealing with a High Risk missing person which turned into uncovering the actions of an international serial killer, John Sweeney, who is currently serving life in prison and will be the focus of a recent television documentary.

Kevin as a senior officer held the role of Head of Undercover Policing for the Metropolitan Police and explains the iconic investigation he was involved in that was headlined in the newspapers as 'The Hip Hop Cop Shop.' Kevin had to make a series of difficult and at times unpopular decisions for the ranks and file officers in order to help protect them from the rigours and stresses of undercover operations.

One of Kevin's final roles in his career was as Bronze Commander during the London 2012 Olympics with a funny story of the cycle protest group 'Critical Mass' that had been infiltrated and decided to see if they could intercept the Queen!

Kevin is also the 'referee' for the award winning TV show 'Hunted' which is on our screens each year.

www.kevinoleary123.com

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Tom Monahan took on the role of CEO of Heidrick & Struggles in 2024. He came to Heidrick & Struggles with a decades-long career of building and leading innovative technology, data, and services companies and as a long-time Heidrick & Struggles client.

Most recently, Tom was president and CEO of DeVry University, where he led the university to digital innovation, sustained growth, outstanding student success metrics, and financial strength as a newly independent institution.

Tom is passionate about people and the role that leadership has to create a world better led. Tom explains to me that the right people, in the right role leading in the right way is the single most important driver for high performing organisations. Tom's decision to take up the CEO role of Heidrick & Struggles was based on the ability of H&S to really make a difference for organisations in finding the right leaders and to co-create great performance on an individual and collective basis. Tom describes leaders are Magpies, building their nests out of anything they can find within themselves and in their surroundings based on insatiable curiosity and a beginners mindset.

I ask Tom about his parents and family background as I search for clues into his focus and success. His answer will surprise you.

Tom tells me that in his role as CEO he is the steward of the business and the people are the only thing that won't be worth less from the day they begin working in the organisation. Each and every day a person grows, learns and experiences in a way that builds the sum of the parts. It is the human capital that is the most precious resource of any business.

One of Tom's primary strengths is his ability to frame a problem or issue in order to create focus as opposed to always having an answer. 'Fast Starts matter' Tom explains, so getting quick insight is paramount for any leader and organisation in gathering the collective intelligence to focus on the issue or problem and resolve it.

Leading experts has always been a leadership challenge and Tom tells me that he is expert in the way we used to do things and not how we should do things so he has to get out of the way of his people and allow them to operate in a way that they know is best.

As CEO Tom is focused on creating an environment where the best people come to do their best work. Tom also understands that any new CEO must be 'courageously humble' as he tries to understand the business that he is taking over, the people that he leads and the culture that he initially inherits. The most dangerous thing a CEO can do, is be a focus group of one.

Tom is an introvert by nature so the very social and public facing element of the role is a constant challenge for him and he fondly remembers the advice from an inebriated aunt that if something is worth doing, it is worth overdoing.

www,hedrick.com

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Stevie Ward is the former captain of the Leeds Rhinos Super League Rugby team, winner of the Super League and Challenge Cup and he was also one of the youngest captains aged only 26.

Stevie had 10 operations during his playing career and had to retire early due to a brain injury. This is a powerful episode of humility, vulnerability and resilience.

Stevie was lucky enough to play for Leeds during the 'Golden Generation' playing with a number of England Internationals including the late Rob Burrows. He made his debut at 18 years old sharing his formative years doing battle on the professional rugby field.

I explore Stevie's background to try and understand what allowed him to find the the strength to enter professional rugby at such a young age with maximum intensity and dedication to being the best he could be.

Stevie was named captain at just 26 years old and this official leadership role meant he felt the enormous pressure to perform and succeed which initially led to a feel of overwhelm and essentially sub optimal performance. Stevie remembers the toughest times when the team lost their unique identify and didn't know who they were which translated into poor performances on the pitch. The team needed to overcome fear and reflect on how they could leverage their unique differences and personalities to create something special, authentic and compelling as a team. How could they create their own high performing culture? There is so much uncertainty in a Rugby League team amongst a group of warriors who needed to create a high level of psychological safety for all the players to all feel able to bring their best without fear of failure and or criticism.

A brain injury (multiple concussions) forced Stevie to step away from professional rugby whilst he was in his prime. To this day he still feels the effects of the injuries he suffered on the pitch and he has had to completely reassess who he is and what he is passionate about.

Stevie filmed a Sky Sports documentary 6-8 months after stepping away from the game and he initially hoped that he would actually be able to return to the game but even attending the stadium as a spectator for the documentary, Stevie found was a sensory overload and he had to leave at half time.

Stevie also emotionally remembers his friendship and playing time with Rob Burrows who fought very publicly against motor neurone disease but unfortunately passed away in June 2024.

Stevie hosts 'Mantality' and works with individuals and organisations focused on the importance of mental health, psychological safety, courage, humility and masculine vulnerability, all potentially a paradox with the brutal and competitive world of professional rugby.

Don't miss this episode.

www.stevieward.co.uk

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