What if your transformation is not stuck because the strategy is wrong, but because the organisation has not learned how to behave differently yet?
In this episode, Richard speaks with Mike Ettling, former CEO of Unit4, about what it really takes to lead enterprise transformation when the stakes are high and the scrutiny is intense.
Mike led Unit4 through a six-year shift from a federated, on-premise software business to a more unified, cloud-first organisation. But the deeper lesson is not about software. It is about the CEO work behind any serious transformation: changing behaviour, building the right team, holding investor pressure, and creating enough cadence and purpose for the business to move.
For founders and CEOs scaling a business, this is a sharp reminder that CEO Transformation is not just a personal development idea. When the business model changes, the operating model, leadership team, stakeholder rhythm, and CEO identity all have to change with it.
You'll learn:
- Why the product shift is often easier than the behaviour shift
- How to hire for hardship, failure and team dynamic, not just CV credentials
- Why confidence and self-doubt can coexist when you are surrounded by brilliant people
- How private-equity value creation becomes more powerful when it is wrapped in purpose
- Why controlling the corporate cadence is one of the CEO's most practical sources of leverage
Guest links mentioned:
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BONUS RESOURCE – ACCOUNTABILITY CHARTER
Turn your leadership team into a strategic growth engine, without micromanaging or drama. Download and implement the Accountability Charter today.
https://xquadrant.com/go/accountability/
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GO DOWN THE XQUADRANT RABBIT HOLE
📧 The Leverage Letter
https://xquadrant.com/letter
📒 The 10X Reckoning
https://xquadrant.com/reckoning/
📕 Making TIME For Strategy
https://xquadrant.com/time/
🎧 The Defining Move Podcast
https://xquadrant.com/podcast/
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NEW SHOW BRAND & FORMAT
This episode was released as part of The Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast. We’ve now rebranded the show to The Defining Move, and upgraded the format.
The Defining Move is a podcast about CEO leadership for scaling businesses, and the CEO transformation that drives the next level of growth.
Check out our newest episodes, in which Richard Medcalf hands one of the world's most accomplished leaders a fictional defining move, already made, that changes the trajectory of their business.
You’ll learn from how they think and how they lead when the stakes rise. And you’ll discover the hidden sources of leadership leverage that take them to their next level, and will take you to yours.
https://xquadrant.com/podcast
