The Leadership Lessons That Shaped Us: Celebrating 100 Episodes of Redefiners

Redefiners

After four years and 100 episodes of extraordinary conversations with world-class leaders, what are the most powerful leadership lessons that have emerged? In this milestone episode, hosts Simon Kingston and Marla Oates dig through the Redefiners archives to share the top 10 leadership insights.

From Ruth Porat's revelation that not having a rigid career plan was her secret weapon, and Debra Martin Chase's unshakeable determination in Hollywood, to Will Guidara's $2 hot dog that redefined hospitality excellence—these aren't just inspiring anecdotes. They're battle-tested lessons from leaders who've built careers with real impact across technology, finance, entertainment, hospitality, and global governance.

Simon and Marla reveal their most memorable moments from conversations with CEOs like Adena Friedman at Nasdaq, Brad Smith at Microsoft, Tony Capuano at Marriott, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the World Trade Organization. They explore how these leaders navigated everything from AI transformation and crisis management to building authentic cultures and making unpopular decisions.

"Do people need to learn before they leap? I actually think they need to leap in order to learn.” – Brad Smith, Microsoft Vice Chair and President

Four things you'll learn from this episode:

1. Why the most successful leaders embrace uncertainty and leave their doors open to unexpected opportunities
2. How to build the resilience and grit needed to navigate setbacks and transform failure into your competitive advantage
3. The critical importance of putting people first during times of crisis and organizational transition
4. Why authentic leadership—being unapologetically yourself—creates the strongest foundation for long-term success

Featured leaders:

• Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer, Alphabet and Google
• Adena Friedman, Chair and CEO, Nasdaq
• Debra Martin Chase, Film and Television Producer
• Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President, Microsoft
• David Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, Carlyle Group
• Dee Caffari, Record-Breaking Yachtswoman
• Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization
• Tony Capuano, President and CEO, Marriott International
• Bill Roedy, Former Chair and CEO, MTV International
• Sarah Mensah, President, Jordan Brand
• Will Guidara, Restauranteur and Author