King Dems Podcast | Growth Mindset, Leadership, AI and Business Insights

Most finance teams start closing the month before the month has even finished. Cop a copy of my new book NOW: ⁠https://ademolaodewade.com⁠ Turn audit and finance expertise into paid advisory work — Ethos (paid link): ⁠https://agent.askethos.com/refer/nd01w7e2eelw⁠ AI labs pay highly-skilled experts — Mercor (paid link): ⁠https://t.mercor.com/neABb⁠ Build the design partner deck in minutes — Gamma (paid link): ⁠https://try.gamma.app/f2d4kygskm1h⁠ Esther Adeogun spent over a decade in audit and assurance across KPMG Nigeria, WYZE, Sapro, PKF Littlejohn and RSM UK, working between Lagos and London. She audited multinationals with US, Canadian and Australian parent structures. She then left professional services to found Valdore Systems and Intelligence Limited (VSIL), a pre-product platform building what she calls an intelligent operating layer: financial intelligence, controls and real-time visibility embedded directly into business workflows rather than applied after the fact. The pattern that convinced her was not jurisdictional. Across Lagos, London and multinational engagements she kept meeting the same problem. Organisations had invested heavily in software, yet finance teams still ran on spreadsheets, manual reconciliations and judgement applied outside the system. Some of her design partners begin their July month-end work in the second or third week of July in order to report to management by 4 August. That is time taken away from professional judgement and scepticism, and Esther argues the gap between activity and visibility is the thing worth closing, not the accounting concepts underneath it. In this episode: The one sentence she would give a Fortune 500 CEO: an intelligent operating layer embedding financial intelligence, controls and real-time visibility into business workflows The exact shift from auditor to founder, moving from "what went wrong" to "why did the system allow this to happen in the first place" Why real-time reporting does not overturn the historical cost concept, and what she actually means by real-time What SAP, Oracle and Microsoft would say in response, and where the design philosophies genuinely diverge Where AI earns its place, and the deterministic, rules-based work that should stay conventional software "Consulting is largely constrained by people and time" and why that pushed her to SaaS instead of another consulting firm The four eras of accounting: paper, spreadsheets, ERP, and AI-assisted decision-making Whether the Big Four look the same in 2035, and why she thinks firms evolve rather than disappear Nigeria rewards technical skill, the UK rewards relationships, and what that cost her to learn Why she no longer believes progress is linear, and what experimentation replaced it with Rapid fire: the biggest misconception about AI, the biggest misconception about accounting, and the technology she is watching Her legacy test: not to be remembered for building software but for helping build better businesses More from Esther: LinkedIn (personal): ⁠linkedin.com/in/esther-adeogun-0b9118125⁠ LinkedIn (company): ⁠linkedin.com/company/valdore-systems-intelligence-ltd⁠ Hosted by Ademola Odewade — chartered accountant, author of Human-Led, AI-Powered Finance (foreword by Professor Dave Ulrich), and Founder of K-Dems Consulting. The King Dems Podcast. Growth Mindset, Leadership, AI and Business Insights. Ranked in the global top 2% of podcasts. Diary of a CFO. Finance leadership, unfiltered. Ranked in the global top 2.5% of podcasts. This description contains paid links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. #AIinAccounting #ContinuousAssurance #DiaryOfACFO #KingDemsPodcast

Why Transformation Programmes Fail — The Inner Game of Organisations Most transformation programmes fail because the organisation is quietly protecting the very thing you are trying to change. Cop a copy of my new book NOW: ⁠https://ademolaodewade.com⁠ Turn transformation experience into paid advisory work — Ethos (paid link): ⁠https://agent.askethos.com/refer/nd01w7e2eelw⁠ AI labs pay highly-skilled experts — Mercor (paid link): ⁠https://t.mercor.com/neABb⁠ Build the culture diagnostic deck in minutes — Gamma (paid link): ⁠https://try.gamma.app/f2d4kygskm1h⁠ Zhanna Zhuravleva grew up in Georgia and lived through war as a child, then built her career across Russia, Israel and the UK. She completed two master's degrees — finance and human resources — followed by postgraduate study, and taught finance, management and philosophy at a university in St. Petersburg. She started in industry as a Kaizen team leader and went on to lead HR and cultural transformation across organisations of more than 1,000 people in 40 countries. She is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, has run over 3,000 sessions with leaders, and founded Awake Conscious Play, a school of conscious leadership and leadership transformation. Early in her career she ran a textbook transformation — designed framework, defined KPIs, strong governance. Six months later almost nothing had changed. The organisation was not governed by its processes; it was governed by informal power. Everything since has been built on that finding. The 30% improvement in employee satisfaction and 10% reduction in turnover she reports came from no single initiative — a culture hub that put interns and juniors into the improvement process, people partners trained in coaching, and one-to-ones where the feedback actually changed the next decision. In this episode: Change fluency — why transformation is not a project with a start date and an end dateThe "inner game": why a fintech's people-first programme stalls because the tension is giving leaders their identity Three signals that tell you inside a week whether a culture is healthy — quality of disagreement, speed of bad news, and the gap between the official story and the underground story Diagnosis before prescription: the first 30 days run across Ken Wilber's four quadrants, not a rush to launch programmes Three types of values — declarative, conscious, unconscious — and which layer actually decides Why Meta making AI token consumption a performance metric produced engineers burning tokens instead of better decisions WEF Future of Jobs: 170 million roles created against 92 million displaced — recalibration, not replacement"AI is electricity with intelligence" — why this is an electricity moment rather than an internet one The 4D Compass for building trust: self, soul, soft, spiritWhy engagement surveys measure compliance — a purple, tribal culture scores high on engagement and low on trust What she protects if the HR budget is halved: leader development, and a culture diagnosis every year The mistake founders make at 100 employees — still leading as though there are 20Zhanna's recommendation for every CEO is Spiral Dynamics by Don Beck and Christopher Cowan. Her conscious leadership programmes — including Lila, the transformational game she has adapted for leaders and runs offline and online — are at: ⁠https://awake-play.co.uk/⁠ Upcoming cohorts: ⁠https://awake-play.co.uk/upcoming⁠ Connect with Zhanna on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhanna-zhuravleva-chartered-fcipd-03a0a622a/⁠ Hosted by Ademola Odewade — chartered accountant, author of Human-Led, AI-Powered Finance (foreword by Professor Dave Ulrich), and Founder of K-Dems Consulting. The King Dems Podcast. Growth Mindset, Leadership, AI and Business Insights. Ranked in the global top 2% of podcasts. Diary of a CFO. Finance leadership, unfiltered. Ranked in the global top 2.5% of podcasts. This description contains paid links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Why Transformation Programmes Fail — The Inner Game of Organisations Most transformation programmes fail because the organisation is quietly protecting the very thing you are trying to change. Cop a copy of my new book NOW: https://ademolaodewade.com Turn transformation experience into paid advisory work — Ethos (paid link): https://agent.askethos.com/refer/nd01w7e2eelw AI labs pay highly-skilled experts — Mercor (paid link): https://t.mercor.com/neABb Build the culture diagnostic deck in minutes — Gamma (paid link): https://try.gamma.app/f2d4kygskm1h Zhanna Zhuravleva grew up in Georgia and lived through war as a child, then built her career across Russia, Israel and the UK. She completed two master's degrees — finance and human resources — followed by postgraduate study, and taught finance, management and philosophy at a university in St. Petersburg. She started in industry as a Kaizen team leader and went on to lead HR and cultural transformation across organisations of more than 1,000 people in 40 countries. She is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, has run over 3,000 sessions with leaders, and founded Awake Conscious Play, a school of conscious leadership and leadership transformation. Early in her career she ran a textbook transformation — designed framework, defined KPIs, strong governance. Six months later almost nothing had changed. The organisation was not governed by its processes; it was governed by informal power. Everything since has been built on that finding. The 30% improvement in employee satisfaction and 10% reduction in turnover she reports came from no single initiative — a culture hub that put interns and juniors into the improvement process, people partners trained in coaching, and one-to-ones where the feedback actually changed the next decision. In this episode: Change fluency — why transformation is not a project with a start date and an end dateThe "inner game": why a fintech's people-first programme stalls because the tension is giving leaders their identity Three signals that tell you inside a week whether a culture is healthy — quality of disagreement, speed of bad news, and the gap between the official story and the underground story Diagnosis before prescription: the first 30 days run across Ken Wilber's four quadrants, not a rush to launch programmes Three types of values — declarative, conscious, unconscious — and which layer actually decides Why Meta making AI token consumption a performance metric produced engineers burning tokens instead of better decisions WEF Future of Jobs: 170 million roles created against 92 million displaced — recalibration, not replacement"AI is electricity with intelligence" — why this is an electricity moment rather than an internet one The 4D Compass for building trust: self, soul, soft, spiritWhy engagement surveys measure compliance — a purple, tribal culture scores high on engagement and low on trust What she protects if the HR budget is halved: leader development, and a culture diagnosis every year The mistake founders make at 100 employees — still leading as though there are 20Zhanna's recommendation for every CEO is Spiral Dynamics by Don Beck and Christopher Cowan. Her conscious leadership programmes — including Lila, the transformational game she has adapted for leaders and runs offline and online — are at: https://awake-play.co.uk/ Upcoming cohorts: https://awake-play.co.uk/upcoming Connect with Zhanna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhanna-zhuravleva-chartered-fcipd-03a0a622a/ Hosted by Ademola Odewade — chartered accountant, author of Human-Led, AI-Powered Finance (foreword by Professor Dave Ulrich), and Founder of K-Dems Consulting. The King Dems Podcast. Growth Mindset, Leadership, AI and Business Insights. Ranked in the global top 2% of podcasts. Diary of a CFO. Finance leadership, unfiltered. Ranked in the global top 2.5% of podcasts. This description contains paid links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Business valuation isn't a multiple of EBITDA. Cop a copy of my new book NOW: https://ademolaodewade.com Turn expertise into paid advisory work — Ethos (paid link): https://agent.askethos.com/refer/nd01w7e2eelw AI labs pay highly-skilled experts — Mercor (paid link): https://t.mercor.com/neABb Build the buyer deck in minutes — Gamma (paid link): https://try.gamma.app/f2d4kygskm1h Mark Mills OBE started Cardpoint plc from scratch in 2000. Two years later it floated on AIM at a £7 million valuation. By 2006 it was turning over £100 million a year on £19.8 million of EBITDA, and he exited in 2007 at £175 million. He now sells other people's businesses. One owner was told his company was worth £3 million. Mark sold it for just over £10 million. Nothing changed in the accounts — what changed was who the business was presented to, and why they needed it. In this episode: - Why bids from strategic buyers don't resemble a multiple of EBITDA - The £3m-to-£10m sale, and the buyer maths that produced it - Rule one of any business model: recurring income — learned from a payphone business that died in the 1991 recession - How Mark and his CFO reverse-engineered £100m of revenue onto a sheet of paper, then landed within 2% - Why "in three years" is a useless target and "by 31 August 2029" is not - Solving a working capital problem by finding a bank with too much physical cash - The one metric he never ignores when assessing a company for sale - FARM — why people work for Fun, Achievement, Recognition, then Money, in that order - Selling to strangers, and why referrals cannot scale a business - What AI actually changes about client acquisition and KPI monitoring - Realistic exit timelines: 12 to 30 months, not six Mark's book is Making Your Mark: How I Built a Fortune From £1.50 — and You Can Too. He offered listeners a free signed copy — email him at mark@mark.co.uk with your address and he'll send one out. More from Mark: www.mark.co.uk · linkedin.com/in/markrichardmills Hosted by Ademola Odewade — chartered accountant, author of Human-Led, AI-Powered Finance (foreword by Professor Dave Ulrich), and Founder of K-Dems Consulting. The King Dems Podcast. Growth Mindset, Leadership, AI and Business Insights. Ranked in the global top 2% of podcasts. Diary of a CFO. Finance leadership, unfiltered. Ranked in the global top 2.5% of podcasts. This description contains paid links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. #BusinessValuation #ExitStrategy #DiaryOfACFO #KingDemsPodcast

How can leaders use AI without weakening the judgement, creativity and critical thinking that leadership requires? Dr David Rock explains what neuroscience reveals about decision-making, cognitive bias, uncertainty and human performance. This conversation is for leaders navigating a world of rising information overload, faster technology and increasing pressure. Dr Rock, Co-Founder and CEO of the NeuroLeadership Institute, coined the term neuroleadership and has spent decades translating cognitive science into practical tools for organisations and executives. In this episode, you will learn: Why leadership creates three recurring cognitive challenges: capacity, self-regulation and social cognitionWhy intelligent leaders can still make poor decisions under pressure How uncertainty affects the way people think, regulate emotion and understand others Why David argues that AI should keep the human in the lead, rather than outsourcing critical judgement Why recognising your own cognitive bias is harder than most leaders assume How the SEEDS framework helps teams identify recurring categories of bias How the SCARF model explains Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness and Fairness Why useful leadership frameworks require both scientific credibility and practical simplicity About Dr David Rock Dr David Rock is Co-Founder and CEO of the NeuroLeadership Institute and the originator of the term neuroleadership. His work applies cognitive science to leadership, organisational change and human performance. He is the author of Your Brain at Work and the forthcoming Good with Humans, which explores the SCARF model and the neuroscience of social motivation. Connect with Dr David Rock NeuroLeadership Institute: https://www.neuroleadership.com NILES: https://www.askniles.ai/ Book: Good with Humans by David Rock Explore The King Dems Podcast Website: https://kingdemspodcast.com Explore the tools behind our podcast network: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools The King Dems Podcast ranks in the Global Top 2% on Listen Notes and reaches audiences in 130+ countries. Our mission is simple: Educate. Inspire. Empower.

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a credentialed therapist and get 10% off at ⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/kingdems What if the career you worked hardest to build is actually keeping you from the work you were meant to do? In this episode of The King Dems Podcast , Ademola Odewade sits down with Ashley Stahl , bestselling author, TEDx speaker, career expert and Founder of Wise Whisper Agency, for a powerful conversation about career reinvention, artificial intelligence, personal branding, leadership, intuition and the future of work . Ashley’s own journey took her from national security into career coaching, entrepreneurship, authorship and public speaking. But this conversation goes far beyond the polished career-pivot story. Ashley explains why careers are not supposed to be linear , why the skills you developed in one chapter of your life can become your competitive advantage in the next and why sometimes “backing up” in your career is not the same as backing down. We explore: How to recognise when your career is genuinely misaligned Why your values and your skill set serve different purposes Why clarity comes from exploration, not endless thinking How to experiment with a new career without immediately quitting your job The transferable skills Ashley carried from national security into entrepreneurship How intuition can improve leadership and business decisions The difference between intuition and impulsiveness Why busy calendars can destroy creativity How storytelling and a signature talk can transform a personal brand Why follower count may be one of the most overrated measures of influence How AI is changing careers and the future of work Why professionals who know how to leverage AI may have an advantage over those who resist it What every executive should ask before stepping onto a stage Ashley also shares how a TEDx talk became a turning point in her career and revealed the extraordinary power of combining your story, expertise and message to create meaningful impact. One of the biggest ideas from the conversation? You cannot think your way into clarity. You have to explore your way into it. And when it comes to AI, Ashley offers an equally important challenge: the greatest risk may not simply be AI replacing people. It may be people who understand how to use AI replacing those who refuse to adapt. If you are navigating a career transition, building your personal brand, leading through disruption or wondering how to remain relevant in the AI era, this conversation is for you. 🎙️ The King Dems Podcast explores growth mindset, leadership, AI, business, entrepreneurship and the ideas shaping the future of work. 🔗 Connect with Ashley Stahl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleystahl/ 🛠️ Explore the tools we use to create, grow and scale our podcasts and digital ecosystem: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools Subscribe, follow and share this episode with someone navigating their next chapter. Mindset > Skillset > Toolset. #AshleyStahl #CareerReinvention #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #Leadership #PersonalBranding #CareerGrowth #Entrepreneurship #AI #KingDemsPodcast

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a credentialed therapist and get 10% off at ⁠https://betterhelp.com/kingdems What human skills will leaders need to remain valuable in the age of artificial intelligence? Oluchi Ikechi-D’Amico, Founder and CEO of Fully Bossed, joins Ademola Odewade on The King Dems Podcast to explore AI leadership, organisational transformation, executive presence and the human capabilities technology cannot replace. Oluchi spent nearly two decades advising CEOs, boards and financial institutions on major transformation programmes. Her career includes senior leadership roles at Accenture and EY-Parthenon, more than 30 transformation and M&A programmes and transactions with a combined value exceeding $15 billion. In this episode, Oluchi explains why effective AI adoption is not simply about purchasing new tools. Organisations must change behaviours, strengthen leadership capabilities and connect technology investments to measurable business value. You will learn: Why human skills become more valuable as AI capabilities expand • How leaders can move from AI adoption to genuine AI enablement Why many organisations invest billions in AI without achieving the expected ROI How to measure transformation through revenue growth, cost reduction and operational efficiency Why mindset, storytelling, personal branding and orchestration matter in modern leadership How resilience and self-belief helped Oluchi succeed as a Black female executive What it takes to lead major mergers, acquisitions and organisational transformation programmes How executives can communicate, influence decisions and hold the boardroom in the AI era Why leadership is defined by impact and followership rather than job title How Oluchi evaluated the risk of leaving an EY partner role to build Fully Bossed Oluchi’s central message is clear: AI can generate the report, but it cannot replace your ability to defend the analysis, influence the boardroom and lead people through change. This conversation is essential listening for CEOs, CFOs, founders, consultants, transformation leaders and executives developing an AI strategy for their organisations. Connect with Oluchi Ikechi-D’Amico: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oli-ikechi/ Discover Fully Bossed: https://fullybossed.com/ Explore the tools and resources I use to power my podcasts, business and content at: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools Subscribe, follow and share this episode with a leader navigating AI adoption or organisational transformation. What is the most important human skill leaders must develop to remain valuable in an AI-powered workplace?

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a credentialed therapist and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/kingdems Eric Chu, CFA, CEO and co-founder of TradeDesk Securities, joins The King Dems Podcast and Diary of a CFO to explain how busy professionals can use AI to research smarter without outsourcing their judgement. If you have investable income and limited time, this conversation gives you a clearer way to think about AI, regulation and long-term investing.Eric built his career across investment banking, hedge funds and data centre development before co-founding a SEC registered broker dealer built specifically for working professionals in their 30s and 40s. His path through the 2008 financial crisis, including a job offer at Bear Stearns that evaporated when the firm collapsed, shaped a disciplined view of risk that now underpins TradeDesk Securities. You will learn in this episode: Why AI's biggest advantage for investors is time, not information (23:11) What actually happens inside a data centre when you send an AI prompt (20:38) Why Eric calls the Bear Stearns collapse his first real lesson in humility (14:27) The regulatory requirements TradeDesk Securities follows as a FINRA and SIPC member (18:17) Why individual investors hold a structural advantage over professional fund managers (28:03) How Eric and his team build trust in a regulated industry through direct expertise (31:44) Where AI in finance goes next, including sector-specific AI engines (33:58) His honest, non-committal take on crypto as an asset class (38:07) Guest: Eric Chu, CFA, is CEO and co-founder of TradeDesk Securities, a SEC registered broker dealer built to help working professionals invest with AI powered insights and portfolio tools. He holds an MBA from NYU Stern and has spent almost 20 years across investment banking, hedge funds and public company finance, including senior roles developing and financing data centre platforms across Asia. Links Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-chu-cfa-7159567/ Guest company: https://www.tradesk.co/ The King Dems Podcast ranks in the Global Top 2% on Listen Notes and reaches audiences in 120+ countries. Explore the tools behind our podcast network: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools #Investing #AIinvesting #TheKingDemsPodcast

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a credentialed therapist and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/kingdems What does it take to create impact that outlives your career? In this episode of The King Dems Podcast , host Ademola Odewade sits down with Lameen Abdul-Malik , a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, transformation advisor, lawyer and former International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) leader, for a masterclass on leadership, growth mindset, legacy and transformational impact. From Nobel Peace Prize-winning work to Africa's development, healthcare innovation and systems thinking, this conversation is packed with timeless lessons for leaders, founders and anyone determined to make a meaningful difference. Drawing on more than 25 years of international leadership, Lameen shares lessons from helping establish Zambia's first cancer hospital, contributing to the Nobel Peace Prize-winning work of the IAEA and advising governments, CEOs and institutions across Africa. He explains why true leadership is not measured by titles or recognition, but by the lives transformed and the systems left behind. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why impact matters more than outputs and activity • How world-class leaders build systems instead of chasing recognition • The leadership lessons behind the Nobel Peace Prize journey • Why succession planning determines whether leadership truly succeeds • How to measure qualitative impact alongside quantitative metrics • Why mindset always comes before skillset and toolset • Lessons from building Zambia's first cancer hospital • The biggest opportunities for Africa's future development • How to define success on your own terms instead of society's expectations • Why humility, service and courage are competitive advantages for modern leaders Guest Links 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lameen-abdul-malik/ 📖 Book: IMPACT Framework Power Your Growth With The Same Tools We Use We run The King Dems Podcast ecosystem using best-in-class AI, business, productivity, finance and media tools trusted by founders, executives and high performers. Explore our complete tool stack: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools Smarter tools. Better growth. Bigger wins. Hosted by Ademola Odewade, MBA, ACA, BSc (Economics) The King Dems Podcast is ranked in the Global Top 2% on Listen Notes and reaches audiences in 130+ countries . If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a rating. Your support helps us educate, inspire and empower the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers. #TheKingDemsPodcast #Leadership #GrowthMindset #PersonalDevelopment #NobelPeacePrize #Entrepreneurship #Business #Innovation #Africa #Transformation #Mindset #LeadershipDevelopment #Legacy #Success #Impact

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a credentialed therapist and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/kingdems Why do brilliant strategies fail inside organisations? Dr. Suzy Burke argues that strategy may live in a slide deck, but culture lives in what happens on Tuesday morning. Dr. Suzy Burke is an organisational psychologist, four-time founder, former Fortune 20 executive, co-founder of Accountability Inc. and lead author of Headamentals: How Leaders Can Crack Negative Self-Talk . In this practical conversation with Ademola Odewade, she explains how leaders create accountability without fear, recognise unhealthy culture, build psychological safety and translate strategy into daily behaviour. In this episode, you will learn: Why a brilliant strategy fails faster and more expensively inside a broken culture How healthy cultures surface bad news before problems become expensive Why accountability should be a daily operating habit, not a disciplinary tool The three areas to examine when inheriting a struggling organisation How clarity, visible scorecards, named owners and weekly check-ins improve execution Why senior leaders receive less honest feedback Why listening becomes more important as leaders rise How ambition and humility can strengthen each other Why measurement bridges the gap between vision and execution Which human capabilities AI cannot replace How leaders can use AI to remove administrative work and protect time for relationships Why negative self-talk can spread through a team Dr. Burke also shares lessons from Xerox, her approach to sustainable culture change and the legacy she hopes to build by making the invisible parts of leadership, culture and self-talk visible and actionable. Connect with Dr. Suzy Burke: Website: https://www.suzyburke.phd/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzy-burke-phd-ab77071a Headamentals: https://headamentals.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Headamentals-Leaders-Defeat-Negative-Self-Talk/dp/1774585898 Discover The King Dems Podcast: Website: https://kingdemspodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kingdemspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fn02hkNL1owkHA3t5RmvF Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/king-dems-podcast-growth-mindset-leadership-ai-and/id1717328584 Newsletter: https://newsletter.kingdemspodcast.com/ LinkedIn community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/19417009/ Tools and resources: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools Hosted by Ademola Odewade, MBA, ACA, BSc (Economics), founder and CEO of K-Dems Consulting Ltd. Subscribe, share this episode with a leader in your network and tell us: What is the clearest sign of a healthy organisational culture? #Leadership #OrganizationalCulture #PsychologicalSafety #Accountability #ArtificialIntelligence

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growthjourney with a credentialed therapist and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/kingdems What does it take to become a strategic CFO inthe AI era? Wassia Kamon explains how finance leaders earn boardroom trust, guide business strategy, build visible authority and keep humans accountablewhen technology accelerates the work. Wassia is a CFO, finance educator and 2025 Atlanta Business Chronicle CFO of the Year. In this candid conversation with Ademola Odewade, she moves beyond technical finance to reveal the judgement, relationships, resilience and intentional visibility that shape trustedexecutive leadership. In this episode, you will learn: Why the modern CFO must understand marketing, HR, technology and the wider business model, not only accounting and reporting. How CFOs earn trust by listening first, understanding why existing processes exist and connecting finance to business priorities. Why visible expertise can shorten the time required to build credibility before an interview, board meeting or business conversation. How joining a nonprofit or professional board can reduce boardroom fear and develop executive judgement. Why founders should treat debt as a strategic tool while understanding its cost, risk and purpose. Which finance activities AI can automate and why accountability, controls, explanation and final judgement must remain human. Why professionals who ignore AI may face the same disadvantage as finance graduates who never learned Excel. How executive presence can be learned through observation, listening, composure and disciplined focus. Why mentorship, continuous learning and intentional personal branding accelerate career progression. How ambitious leaders can pursue impact without allowing achievement to consume their health, family or identity. About Wassia Kamon Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA, is Chief Financial Officer at Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs. She was named the 2025 Atlanta Business Chronicle CFO of the Year in the community service category and is a two-time CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 honoree. She serves as Guest Faculty for the Wharton Online FP&A Certificate Program and hosts The Diary of a CFO. Connect with Wassia Website: https://www.wassiakamon.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassiakamon The Diary of a CFO: https://thediaryofacfo.com Explore The King Dems Podcast Network Podcast hub: https://kingdemspodcast.com Newsletter: https://newsletter.kingdemspodcast.com LinkedIn community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/19417009/ Tools behind the network: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools The King Dems Podcast ranks in the Global Top 2% on Listen Notes and reaches audiences in 120+ countries. Help us move towards the Global Top 1% by rating the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Affiliate disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. We may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Sponsorship does not determine our editorial conclusions.

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a credentialed therapist and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/kingdems Most leaders believe culture comes from the top. Arthur Carmazzi explains why sustainable organizational culture is built from the bottom up through psychology, communication and shared ownership. Learn how great leaders create high performance teams, improve workplace communication and unlock innovation without relying on outdated leadership models. Arthur Carmazzi joins Ademola Odewade for one of the deepest conversations ever recorded on leadership psychology, organizational culture, communication, neurodiversity, AI and business transformation. As the creator of Directive Communication Psychology and widely recognised as one of the world's leading culture experts, Arthur shares practical frameworks that have helped organisations across the world improve engagement, trust and performance. In this episode you'll discover: • Why most organizational culture initiatives fail • The psychology behind high performance teams • How leaders unknowingly destroy workplace culture • Why communication is the hidden driver of business success • How neurodivergent leaders can leverage their unique strengths • The real relationship between AI and leadership • Why psychological safety creates innovation • The culture mistakes costing companies millions Whether you're a CEO, founder, executive, HR leader, entrepreneur or aspiring leader, this conversation provides practical frameworks you can apply immediately. Arthur Carmazzi shares decades of experience helping global organisations transform culture through measurable behavioural change rather than empty corporate values. The King Dems Podcast ranks among the Global Top 2% of podcasts on Listen Notes and reaches audiences across 120+ countries. ⭐ Help us reach the Global Top 1% by following the show and leaving a rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Explore the tools powering our podcast ecosystem: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools Connect with Arthur Carmazzi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthurcarmazzi/ Website: https://www.carmazzi.net Connect with Ademola Odewade LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ademola-isimeme-ai-odewade-b883a0382/ Subscribe to The AI-Powered Executive Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7420737045377105920 Join our LinkedIn Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/19417009/

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a therapist and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/kingdems What makes a brand trusted, remembered and chosen in the AI era? David Aaker explains brand equity, branding strategy, purpose-driven branding and how leaders build emotional connection in crowded markets. David Aaker is widely recognized as one of the most influential thinkers in modern branding. In this powerful conversation with Ademola Odewade on The King Dems Podcast , he explains why branding is not just a logo, campaign or slogan. It is a strategic business asset that shapes loyalty, trust, differentiation and long-term growth. This episode explores why many companies lose brand power through short-term thinking, why AI can either strengthen or weaken brand strategy, why purpose-driven brands outperform transactional brands and why storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools in leadership and business growth. David also breaks down the Aaker Brand Vision Model, brand equity, memory anchors, emotional connection, category creation and how entrepreneurs with small budgets can build powerful brand narratives without massive advertising spend. This is a masterclass for founders, CEOs, marketers, consultants, creators, business leaders and ambitious professionals who want to build brands that outlast noise, trends and algorithms. Key insights from this episode Why brand equity is one of the most valuable assets in business strategy How brand loyalty transforms branding from a communication issue into a leadership responsibility Why AI in marketing can unintentionally encourage dangerous short-term thinking How purpose-driven branding creates energy, visibility and long-term competitive advantage Why trust is built through authentic stories rather than advertising claims How signature stories become powerful memory anchors Why emotional connection drives customer loyalty and sustainable business growth How entrepreneurs can use AI to strengthen brand positioning and messaging Why category creation is more powerful than competing in crowded markets The leadership principles behind building brands people remember and trust Guest: David Aaker Host: Ademola Odewade Podcast: The King Dems Podcast | Growth Mindset, Leadership, AI and Business Insights Connect with David Aaker LinkedIn: Search "David Aaker" YouTube: Search "David Aaker branding" Subscribe to The AI-Powered Executive If you enjoy conversations like this, subscribe to The AI-Powered Executive , Ademola Odewade's LinkedIn newsletter. Each week, we distil world-class conversations with global leaders into practical frameworks on AI, leadership, business growth, finance and personal development. Subscribe here: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7420737045377105920 Build Your Authority With the Podcast Authority Engine™ Want to become the trusted voice in your industry? The Podcast Authority Engine™ helps founders, executives and professional services firms build authority, attract high-value opportunities and dominate both traditional search and AI-powered search through podcasting, SEO, PR and thought leadership. Learn more: https://kingdemspodcast.com/services The King Dems Podcast ranks in the Global Top 2% on ListenNotes and reaches audiences across 120+ countries . Help us reach the Global Top 1% by following the podcast and leaving a rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Power Your Growth With The Exact Tools We Use We run The King Dems Podcast ecosystem using best-in-class AI, productivity, finance and media tools trusted by global founders and executives. Explore our curated stack: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a therapist and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/kingdems Is the world entering a new era of geopolitical conflict, economic uncertainty and leadership pressure? In this thought-provoking conversation, David Murrin explores how history, geopolitics, financial markets, China, the United States, artificial intelligence and human behaviour could shape the next decade. David Murrin is a globally respected forecaster, investor, strategist and author whose work connects geopolitics, financial markets, war, leadership, collective psychology and the future of civilisation. In this episode, Ademola Odewade sits down with David Murrin to discuss the decline of the West, the rise of China, the growing risk of global conflict, the future of AI, the psychology of markets and what founders, executives, investors and policymakers should be preparing for today. This is more than a conversation about geopolitics. It is a leadership briefing for anyone seeking to understand the forces shaping business, markets and society before they unfold. What you'll learn: Why history moves in repeating cycles and why most leaders fail to recognise them How collective human behaviour influences markets, nations and conflict Why the rise of China and the changing global order could reshape the world economy What entrepreneurs and executives should understand about geopolitical risk Why economic interdependence does not always prevent war How market behaviour reflects human psychology long before major events unfold Why leadership demands self-awareness, courage, accountability and service How artificial intelligence could transform business, warfare and productivity Why organisations should rethink resilience, debt and long-term strategy How understanding history can become a lasting competitive advantage Guest Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-murrin-06406820/ Website: https://www.davidmurrin.co.uk/ The King Dems Podcast is ranked in the Global Top 2% on Listen Notes. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who would benefit from the conversation. Your support helps us move closer to our goal of becoming a Global Top 1% podcast. Power Your Growth Discover the AI, business, finance and productivity tools we use to build our global podcast ecosystem: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools Watch more episodes: https://youtube.com/@kingdemspodcast

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a credentialed therapist and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/kingdems Most businesses do not have a product problem. They have a marketing problem. In this episode of The King Dems Podcast, Ademola Odewade sits down with Australian marketing strategist John Dwyer to unpack why businesses should stop competing on price and start competing through creativity, value, authority and direct response marketing. John has worked with brands including McDonald's, KFC, 7-Eleven and the NRL. He also created one of Australia's most successful celebrity campaigns featuring Jerry Seinfeld. This conversation explores how founders, consultants, coaches, marketers and professional service firms can generate more leads, build stronger credibility and attract customers without destroying their margins. You will learn: ✅ Why price wars weaken businesses ✅ How direct response marketing drives faster customer action ✅ Why the "Happy Meal Toy" principle works across industries ✅ How free value and the freemium model attract ideal customers ✅ Why authority and case studies build trust faster than claims ✅ How Jerry Seinfeld helped power a major Australian marketing campaign ✅ Why every business should own its audience through a database ✅ How simple contests can generate high-quality leads at low cost Guest links: Website: https://theinstituteofwow.com/ Leads Promo: https://leadscontest.com/ Vacations Promo: https://vacationsincentive.com/ The King Dems Podcast ranks among the Global Top 2% on ListenNotes. Help us reach the Global Top 1% by following, rating and reviewing the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Explore the tools we use to power our podcast and business ecosystem: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a credentialed therapist and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/kingdems Inspirational leadership is the missing ingredient behind sustainable business growth, culture transformation and human performance. In this episode, global leadership authority Dr. Lance Secretan explains why motivation based on fear is failing organizations and why leaders who inspire people create extraordinary results. EPISODE SUMMARY: What if most leadership advice is built on the wrong foundation?In this powerful conversation, Dr. Lance Secretan, former Fortune 100 CEO and author of 24 books, shares why leadership is not about metrics first. It is about people first.From the hidden cost of toxic leadership and broken performance appraisals to the difference between motivation and inspiration, Dr. Secretan reveals timeless principles that have helped transform organizations around the world. He introduces his memorable CASTLE framework for leadership: • Courage • Authenticity • Service • Truth • Love • Effectiveness This episode explores culture, purpose, storytelling, leadership, AI and the future of work through a deeply human lens. KEY INSIGHTS: Why fear based motivation creates short term results but destroys long term performance Why performance appraisals and engagement surveys often fail employees How inspirational leadership creates extraordinary cultures Why people matter more than numbers in sustainable organizations How the CASTLE principles create trust and lasting influence Why storytelling compounds expertise and authority Why visibility does not always equal impact How young minds and growth mindsets shape the future of leadership Why AI should amplify human potential instead of replacing it Why leaders must inspire rather than manipulate people ABOUT DR. LANCE SECRETAN Dr. Lance Secretan is one of the world's leading authorities on inspirational leadership. He is a former Fortune 100 CEO, bestselling author of 24 books, executive coach and founder of The Secretan Center. His work has transformed organizations including Microsoft, Starbucks and many global enterprises. CONNECT WITH DR. LANCE SECRETAN Website: https://secretan.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/secretan/ CONNECT WITH ADEMOLA ODEWADE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ademola-isimeme-ai-odewade-b883a0382/ The King Dems Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@kingdemspodcast Diary Of A CFO: https://www.youtube.com/@DiaryOfACFO TOOLS WE USE: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools HELP US REACH THE GLOBAL TOP 1% The King Dems Podcast ranks in the Global Top 2% on ListenNotes. Help us reach the Global Top 1% by leaving a rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a credentialed therapist and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/kingdems Disability inclusion and neurodiversity are not charity. They are human rights and economic opportunities. In this episode, disability advocate and Daughter of Ellen founder Eyvonne Anthony-Eleko explains why Africa cannot afford to leave talent behind and how inclusive leadership can unlock human potential. EPISODE SUMMARY: What happens when society stops seeing disability first and starts seeing people first?In this powerful conversation, Eyvonne Anthony-Eleko shares her journey with ADHD, her mission to advance accessibility across Africa and why inclusive leadership is essential for economic growth, innovation and human dignity. From education reform and workplace inclusion to AI and the future of accessibility, this episode challenges leaders to rethink how talent is recognized and developed. KEY INSIGHTS: Why disability inclusion is a human rights issue rather than charity. How neurodivergent individuals possess strengths that organizations often overlook. Why accessibility should be built into systems from the beginning rather than treated as an afterthought. How AI can accelerate accessibility and inclusion when designed responsibly. Why Nigeria and Africa are losing valuable talent by excluding people with disabilities. How faith, resilience and self-acceptance empower neurodivergent leaders. Why education systems must celebrate different forms of brilliance. How inclusive workplaces reward outcomes rather than conformity. Why executives shape culture more than policies. Why the future belongs to societies that embrace every form of human potential. Guest: Eyvonne Anthony-Eleko Website: https://daughterofellen.org/ Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/eyvonne_anthony Instagram (Organization): https://www.instagram.com/_daughterofellen The King Dems Podcast ranks in the Global Top 2% on ListenNotes. Help us reach the Top 1% by leaving a rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Power Your Growth With The Exact Tools We Use: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools Smarter tools. Better growth. Bigger wins.

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a credentialed therapist and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/kingdems Artificial intelligence is reshaping democracy, employment, taxation and economic competitiveness faster than most governments can adapt. In this episode, entrepreneur and political reform advocate Steve Endacott explains why Britain must rethink governance, AI policy, taxation and the future of work before technological disruption overwhelms existing systems. Steven Endacott argues that AI will transform democracy, accelerate automation, challenge traditional employment and force governments to redesign economic systems for a rapidly changing future. EPISODE SUMMARY: What happens when an entrepreneur applies business thinking to politics? In this thought-provoking conversation, Steven Endacott shares his vision for a smarter Britain powered by AI, digital democracy and long-term strategic thinking. From AI-driven governance to tax reform, youth unemployment, energy security and the future of work, this episode explores the opportunities and risks facing the UK as artificial intelligence transforms society. This is not just a conversation about politics.It is a conversation about the future. KEY INSIGHTS: Why AI could become the biggest disruption to employment in modern history How digital democracy could reconnect citizens with political decision-making Why many governments are unprepared for rapid technological change How AI may reshape taxation, productivity and economic growth Why youth unemployment remains one of Britain's most urgent challenges How nuclear energy could become the foundation of long-term competitiveness Why future workers must embrace lifelong learning and continuous reskilling How AI copilots could dramatically increase productivity across industries Why entrepreneurs may be better positioned than career politicians to solve complex problems How Britain can compete globally in an AI-driven economy GUEST LINKS: Steve Endacott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenendacott SUPPORT THE SHOW The King Dems Podcast ranks in the Global Top 2 percent on ListenNotes.Help us reach the Global Top 1 percent by following the podcast and leaving a rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Power Your Growth With The Exact Tools We Use We run The King Dems Podcast ecosystem using best-in-class AI, growth, productivity, finance and media tools trusted by founders, executives and business leaders worldwide. Explore our recommended stack: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools Smarter tools. Better growth. Bigger wins.

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start your growth journey with a credentialed therapist and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/kingdems Artificial intelligence is transforming leadership, HR and business growth. Yet the leaders who will thrive are not those who rely on AI alone. According to Dave Ulrich, widely regarded as the Father of Modern HR, sustainable success comes from combining AI-powered capacity with human ingenuity, judgment, empathy and vision. In this powerful episode of The King Dems Podcast, Ademola Odewade sits down with Dave Ulrich to explore leadership in the AI era, the future of HR, organizational capability, culture, talent development and what separates enduring organizations from those that disappear. Dave shares the leadership principles that have remained constant from the time of the pyramids to today's AI revolution. He reveals why teamwork beats talent, why culture drives competitive advantage and how leaders can build organizations that create lasting value for customers, investors and society. This conversation is essential viewing for founders, CEOs, HR leaders, executives, entrepreneurs and anyone navigating leadership in a rapidly changing world.Global Top 2% podcast host Ademola Odewade also explores the Mindset Skillset Toolset framework and why human ingenuity remains the ultimate differentiator in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. KEY INSIGHTS Why AI creates capacity but human ingenuity creates capability The AI × HI framework every leader must understand• The five timeless leadership principles that never change Why strategy without execution produces little value• How great leaders build organizational capability instead of relying solely on talent Why teamwork consistently outperforms individual brilliance• The hidden reason many organizations fail despite hiring top talent How customer-centric leadership creates sustainable growth Why culture is one of the strongest predictors of long-term business success What future HR leaders must do to remain relevant in the age of AI How leadership brand influences customer value creation Why curiosity and continuous learning remain competitive advantages ABOUT DAVE ULRICH Dave Ulrich is widely recognized as the Father of Modern HR. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Co-Founder of The RBL Group, Thinkers50 Hall of Fame inductee and one of the most influential management thinkers in the world. His work has shaped modern leadership, talent management, organizational capability and human resources for decades. He has authored more than 30 books and advised organizations across every major industry globally. ABOUT ADEMOLA ODEWADE Ademola Odewade is the Founder and CEO of K-Dems Consulting Ltd, Host of The King Dems Podcast and Diary of a CFO. Through conversations with world-leading thinkers, CEOs, futurists and innovators, he helps leaders develop the mindset, skillset and toolset required for sustainable success. The King Dems Podcast reaches audiences across 120+ countries and ranks among the Global Top 2% of podcasts on ListenNotes. GUESTLINKS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveulrichpro Website: https://rbl.net RATE THE PODCAST The King Dems Podcast ranks in the Global Top 2 percent on ListenNotes. Help us reach the Global Top 1 percent by leaving a rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/king-dems-podcast-growth-mindset-leadership-ai-and/id1717328584 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fn02hkNL1owkHA3t5RmvF YouTube: https://youtu.be/qCa2uojscZk POWER YOUR GROWTH WITH THE EXACT TOOLS WE USE We run The King Dems Podcast ecosystem using best in class AI, growth, productivity, finance and media tools trusted by growth-focused founders. Explore the curated stack: https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools Smarter tools. Better growth. Bigger wins.

Sponsored by BetterHelp. Start yourgrowth journey with a licensed therapist and get 10% off at ⁠https://betterhelp.com/kingdems⁠ Why do brilliant leaders repeatedly make the same mistakes? Leadership psychology reveals that unconscious behavior patterns, emotional intelligence and workplace culture often determine business success more than strategy alone. In this powerful episode of The King Dems Podcast, Ademola Odewade sits down with renowned leadership expert, psychologist and executive coach Dr. Sylvia Lafair to uncover the hidden human patterns that shape leadership decisions, organizational culture, conflict resolution and long-term business growth. From family systems theory to executive coaching, Dr. Lafair explains how childhood conditioning influences workplace behavior, why emotional intelligence matters more than ever and how leaders can transform destructive patterns into strengths. This conversation explores leadership psychology, growth mindset, self-awareness, business leadership, mental resilience, workplace culture, AI in business and organizational transformation. KEY INSIGHTS: Why unconscious leadership patterns influence workplace success and failure How childhood experiences shape executive decision-making The 13 behavioral patterns that repeatedly appear in organizations Why self-awareness is the foundation of great leadership How emotional intelligence improves team performance Why conflict is necessary for innovation and business growth How leaders can transform toxic workplace behaviors into strengths The role of family systems theory in organizational culture Why psychological safety drives high-performing teams How workplace communication breaks down and how to fix it Why dialogue is more powerful than debate The hidden leadership lessons from Nelson Mandela and South Africa's transformation How AI should support leadership judgment rather than replace human wisdom Why intuition, data and emotional intelligence must work together Practical communication frameworks leaders can use immediately ABOUT DR. SYLVIA LAFAIR Dr. Sylvia Lafair is an internationally recognized executive coach, organizational psychologist, leadership consultant and author of bestselling books including Don't Bring It to Work and Gutsy. She is known for bridging family systems theory and leadership development to help executives transform workplace culture and build stronger organizations. GUEST LINKS Website: ⁠https://ceoptions.com⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvialafair⁠ Books: Don't Bring It to Work - ⁠https://a.co/d/03YfPw9p⁠ Gutsy - ⁠https://a.co/d/0exzNhQQ⁠ ABOUT THE HOST: Ademola Odewade, MBA, ACA, BSc (Economics) is a finance leader, entrepreneur, author and host of The King Dems Podcast. Website: ⁠https://kingdemspodcast.com⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ademola-isimeme-ai-odewade-b883a0382/⁠ THE KING DEMS PODCAST The King Dems Podcast ranks in the Global Top 2% on ListenNotes.Help us reach the Global Top 1% by leaving a rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5fn02hkNL1owkHA3t5RmvF⁠ Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/king-dems-podcast-growth-mindset-leadership-ai-and/id1717328584⁠ POWER YOUR GROWTH WITH THE EXACT TOOLS WE USE We run The King Dems Podcast ecosystem using best-in-class AI, growth, productivity, finance and media tools trusted by founders and executives worldwide. Explore our complete stack: ⁠https://kingdemspodcast.com/tools⁠ Smarter tools. Better growth. Bigger wins.