The Future of Executive Leadership and High Performance

Criticaleye's Inspiring Leaders Podcast Andrew Darfoor, SID, Post Office & Board Mentor at Criticaleye, and Jodene Young, Chief People Officer at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), join Bridgette Hall, Senior Editor at Criticaleye, for a discussion on the leadership trends shaping today’s executive teams and what it takes to build high-performing leadership at the top of organisations. In this episode, Andrew and Jodene explore how executive leadership is evolving in response to shifting expectations around performance, culture and capability. The conversation looks at changing C-suite dynamics, the growing influence of the Board in shaping leadership strength, and how senior teams can better navigate tension, align effectively and prepare for the future. Drawing on their experience across complex, regulated and high-performing environments, they reflect on how definitions of “high performance” at executive level are changing, and what organisations need to do to build leaders who can thrive amid sustained uncertainty and change. Discussion points include: • The key leadership trends currently shaping executive teams • How the definition of high performance at executive level has evolved over the past five years • The tensions between growth, cost and culture – and how the C-suite can navigate them • What effective CEO–CPO–CFO relationships look like in practice • Where organisations should focus leadership development investment for maximum impact • Whether capability building is primarily a learning, leadership or cultural challenge • The role of the Chair and Board in developing executive capability • What will define exceptional leaders in the next five years, and the capabilities currently being underestimated A must-listen for senior executives, Board members and people leaders focused on strengthening leadership capability and building high-performing, future-ready organisations.