Ceannas Conversations

Jurgen Klopp retired as Liverpool’s manager in May 2024, boasting a Premier League title, a Champions League crown, an FA Cup, two EFL Cups, the Community Shield, a UEFA Super Cup, and a FIFA Club World Cup over his nine years at the club.In this compressed analysis of Jurgen Klopp’s leadership I’m going to attempt to describe key aspects of his Leadership Behaviour (using the Ceannas Lenses), his Cultural Footprint (using the Culture Building Blocks), and finally his Wise Decision-Making (using the Ceannas Wheel of Wise Leadership), with a few choice quotes from the man himself.

The influence of thoughtful leadership

As part of our weekly Leadership Spotlights series, we examine Donald Trump the extent to which Donald Trump satisfies the criteria of being a Wise Leader.

Alex Hynes was appointed Managing Director of the ScotRail Alliance in June 2017. Two years later, he was promoted to the broader role of Managing Director, Scotland’s Railway, following further operational devolution from Network Rail to Scotland. He currently leads the delivery of Scotland’s Railway through the ScotRail Alliance.In a wide ranging conversation with Don Ledingham, Co-CEO  of Ceannas, Alex explores:Impact of childhood experiences on his leadershipWorking 'on', not 'in' the businessManaging a systemAccountabilityScanning horizonsBusiness are all about peopleCustomers and Employees are inextricably linkedImpact of climate changeSafe home every dayBalancing Warmth and EdgeEntrepreneurshipMaking or breaking someone's day as a leaderLeadership as a journeyListening and learning for freeCulture and the future

For seven years Adrienne Muir was COO of Voxsmart, a global technology company, based in Queenstown New Zealand she led teams based in locations around the world.In this episode she shares some of the challenges that face anyone leading a team operating in multiple locations and in different times zones.In the course of a fascinating interview Adrienne provides us with a range of practical suggestions that any leader would be well advised to consider implementing - regardless of whether their team is spread around the globe of simply operating in a hybrid fashion.

Lee Smith has had an extensive career with HSBC most recently leading a global team in the technology space. He has joined Ceannas as an Executive Consultant and executive coach.In this podcast Lee delves into the challenge of Value Stream Co-Leadership where he explores how technology and business leaders need to work together in a very different manner to enable the long-term success in delivery and continuous enhancement of complex products.

Don Ledingham is in conversation with Jack Houghton, the co-founder and chief product officer for Mindset.ai, who have a mission to become the digital infrastructure for the knowledge economy.Jack talks with passion and insight about his journey from Barrow-in -Furness to his current role.   Jack's journey provides a great example to others who don't follow the traditional route to success. There are lessons here for businesses and leaders about ai that are of critical importance to their futures.

As part of the Ceannas celebration of International Women's Day, Don Ledingham interviews Debbi McCulloch the Depute Chief Executive of Spartans FC Foundation, and Head Coach of the Scottish Premier League Spartans FC Women's Team.Debbi brings to life her mantra of 'Dream Big, Dream Fierce'  through her own career journey and her inspiring approach to 'giving back' to her community as a true example of leadership.

As part of our Ceannas celebration of International Women's Day, Don Ledingham interviews Kirsty Nicholson, a partner with Addleshaw Goddard, the international legal company.In the course of an extensive conversation Kirsty explores how the legal profession is moving towards a gender balance in leadership roles; how it can further normalise female leadership; the need to promote equal responsibility between men and women for caring duties in the early years; and the importance of role models in promoting women in business.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week Don Ledingham speaks to Charlie Winton, Founder fo OK Positive, a platform that allows people to monitor their own mental health and then take positive action.