Podcast · 31 episodes
Executive Decisions with Steve Sedgwick
by CNBC · English
‘Executive Decisions’ is a CNBC podcast offering a rare window into the minds of top decision-makers. Hosted by seasoned financial journalist Steve Sedgwick, each episode explores the pivotal choices that shape the careers and legacies of influential business leaders and policymakers. Through candid conversations about risk, doubt and conviction, the series reminds us that even the most powerful face uncertainty and trade-offs. The first season of 'Executive Decisions’ will launch on November 11th.
Latest episodes
You Can’t Engineer the Timing: Ron O’HanleyRon O’Hanley’s “executive decisions” and leadership lessons, centered on timing and opportunity (“you can seldom engineer the timing”), career pivots (McKinsey to Mellon; Fidelity to State Street),…29 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Take the Reckless Path: Standard Chartered CEO Bill WintersBill Winters’ career path from aspiring diplomat to derivatives pioneer, JP Morgan executive, and later Standard Chartered CEO; lessons on taking “the reckless path,” owning mistakes, leadership…15 Sep 2026 · 41 min
Face the Music: Anthony ScaramucciAnthony Scaramucci reflects on “facing the music” after major career and personal blowups—joining the Trump White House in 2017, being fired 11 days later, rebuilding Skybridge, and later the fallout…1 Sep 2026 · 44 min
All episodes
You Can’t Engineer the Timing: Ron O’HanleyRon O’Hanley’s “executive decisions” and leadership lessons, centered on timing and opportunity (“you can seldom engineer the timing”), career pivots (McKinsey to Mellon; Fidelity to State Street),…29 Sep 2026 · 31 min · 16 chapters
Take the Reckless Path: Standard Chartered CEO Bill WintersBill Winters’ career path from aspiring diplomat to derivatives pioneer, JP Morgan executive, and later Standard Chartered CEO; lessons on taking “the reckless path,” owning mistakes, leadership…15 Sep 2026 · 41 min · 17 chapters
Face the Music: Anthony ScaramucciAnthony Scaramucci reflects on “facing the music” after major career and personal blowups—joining the Trump White House in 2017, being fired 11 days later, rebuilding Skybridge, and later the fallout…1 Sep 2026 · 44 min · 17 chapters
Run Toward the Hard Problems: Commerzbank CEO Bettina OrloppBettina Orlopp (Commerzbank CEO) discusses why she joined Commerzbank in 2014, how she rebuilt compliance, led the bank’s Strategy 2024 transformation, and navigated crises including shareholder…18 Aug 2026 · 34 min · 18 chapters
Go Where You’ll Learn More: Thomson Reuters CEO Steve HaskerSteve Hasker, CEO of Thomson Reuters, discusses his “go where you’ll learn more” career philosophy, leadership lessons from mentors, and executive decisions during COVID—especially accelerating…4 Aug 2026 · 34 min · 17 chapters
Success Isn’t the Finish Line: DSM-Firmenich CEO Dimitri de VreezeDimitri de Vreeze, DSM-Firmenich CEO, discusses “success isn’t the finish line,” why he sold DSM’s materials business, how he leads with high intensity, and how he makes decisions by separating…21 Jul 2026 · 40 min · 15 chapters
Say Yes Before You're Ready: Capital Group CEO Mike GitlinMike Gitlin’s career and leadership “executive decisions,” centered on saying yes before fully ready—moving internationally, taking risky roles, and later leading Capital Group’s fixed-income growth…7 Jul 2026 · 35 min · 18 chapters
Choose Impact Over Ambition: Novonesis CEO Ester BaigetEster Baiget, CEO of Novozymes (Novonesis), explains “choose impact over ambition,” how she shifted the company from “enzyme” to “biosolutions,” and why that strategic reframing enabled the Christian…23 Jun 2026 · 30 min · 17 chapters
Leave Without a Plan: BNY CEO Robin VinceRobin Vince’s “Executive Decisions” on stepping away before choosing his next role, then leading BNY’s transformation with a long-term, culture-first strategy.9 Jun 2026 · 35 min · 19 chapters
Be Willing to Stand Alone: Euronext CEO Stéphane BoujnahStéphane Boujnah, CEO of Euronext, explains leadership philosophy and a defining corporate decision: opposing the London Stock Exchange–Deutsche Börse merger to protect Euronext’s future and European…26 May 2026 · 30 min · 15 chapters
Don’t Stop Trying Things: Reed CEO James ReedJames Reed, CEO of Reid Group, explains his career-defining decision to join the family business in 1994 and the guiding rule “the worst decision would be to stop trying things.” He also discusses…12 May 2026 · 38 min · 19 chapters
Stop Trying to Fit In: Former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd BlankfeinLloyd Blankfein (former Goldman Sachs CEO) discusses authenticity vs fitting in, how outsider feelings shaped his leadership, and key decisions during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.28 Apr 2026 · 33 min · 18 chapters
If It’s Not Right, Leave: Aviva CEO Amanda BlancAmanda Blanc’s “If it’s not right, leave” philosophy, from her coal-mining Welsh upbringing to executive decisions as CEO of Aviva—walking away from jobs, leading during crises, and confronting…14 Apr 2026 · 39 min · 19 chapters
Own the Role You Have: Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan‘Executive Decisions’ is a CNBC podcast hosted by financial journalist Steve Sedgwick.3 Mar 2026 · 34 min · 16 chapters
Decide, Then Deliver: Schneider Electric CEO Olivier BlumIn this episode of "Executive Decisions," host Steve Sedgwick interviews Olivier Blum, the CEO of Schneider Electric.24 Feb 2026 · 32 min · 20 chapters
Use the Five‑Year Test: Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny JohnsonA CNBC podcast offering insight into the decisions that shape the careers and legacies of influential leaders.17 Feb 2026 · 35 min · 21 chapters
Lead Through Discomfort: Philips CEO Roy JakobsSteve Sedgwick, seasoned financial journalist10 Feb 2026 · 37 min · 21 chapters
Protect the User: Pinterest CEO Bill ReadyA CNBC podcast that provides insights into the minds of top decision-makers, exploring pivotal choices that shape careers and legacies through candid conversations about risk, doubt, and conviction.3 Feb 2026 · 40 min · 16 chapters
Think for Yourself: Synthesia CEO Victor RiparbelliRebelliousness as a driver of innovation and founder decisions, using Victor Riparbelli’s path to Synthesia (UK generative AI video platform).13 Jan 2026 · 42 min · 24 chapters
Learn the Lesson: Canary Wharf Chairman Nigel WilsonSir Nigel Wilson (Chairman, Canary Wharf Group) discusses how curiosity and “optionality” drive major life and career decisions, emphasizing collaboration, learning from mistakes, and a…6 Jan 2026 · 41 min · 16 chapters
Learn to Decide: Heidelberg Materials CEO Dominik von AchtenDominic von Achten (Heidelberg Materials CEO) discusses how to learn decision-making through career pivots, uncertainty, and inclusive leadership, while balancing profitability with decarbonization…30 Dec 2025 · 27 min · 18 chapters
Know When to Leave: Syensqo CEO Ilham KadriExecutive Decisions with Syensqo CEO Ilham Kadri, focused on how she made high-stakes life and career choices—especially around dyslexia, leaving Morocco, motherhood, restructuring, and leading a…23 Dec 2025 · 45 min · 27 chapters
Be Yourself: Phoenix Group CEO Andy BriggsExecutive Decisions with Phoenix Group CEO Andy Briggs on authenticity, leadership, work-life balance, and career-defining risks; includes Phoenix’s strategic pivot and hardest business calls during…16 Dec 2025 · 32 min · 17 chapters
The Leadership Mindset Behind the London Marathon — with Events CEO Hugh BrasherLeadership mindset behind the London Marathon, focusing on decision-making, company culture, and using sport to improve health and access.9 Dec 2025 · 39 min · 18 chapters