Let's meet Claire Blake, Chief Financial and Operating Officer at QIC.

When Claire was unexpectedly tapped on the shoulder to become CFO at QIC, she thought she was being fired. Instead, it launched her into the toughest leadership challenge of her career.

In this episode, Claire shares her honest journey from self-doubt to strategic leadership, covering the imposter syndrome, the steep learning curve, and the powerful impact of coaching and executive education.

She also reveals a unique culture-building initiative that broke down silos and left a lasting legacy, and why trust, vulnerability, and self-care are central to how she leads today.

A real conversation about what it actually takes to grow into the leader others see in you.

Key Takeaways:

1.  Leadership Often Starts Before You Feel Ready - Claire was promoted to CFO unexpectedly and without feeling prepared. Like many, she was chosen for her technical skills, but had to learn leadership on the job.
2. Imposter Syndrome Is Real - Claire candidly shares how imposter syndrome and a lack of confidence challenged her in the early years of her executive role. Formal leadership development (like LBS) and coaching helped her grow into the leader the organisation saw in her.
3. Coaching Isn’t a Quick Fix, It’s Hard Work - She expected her coach to “give her the answers” but realised leadership development takes active reflection, discomfort, and persistence, like building muscles at the gym.
4. Strategic Thinking Must Be Developed Intentionally - Claire struggled with the vague feedback to “be more strategic” until training gave her the mindset shift she needed. It doesn’t just come with the job title.
5. Culture Can Be Changed Creatively - To tackle siloed teams and low morale, Claire introduced “house teams” (inspired by school sports houses) to build connection, collaboration, and fun. It was unconventional, but it worked, and its legacy still lives on.
6. Trust Is the Foundation of Great Leadership - Claire defines her leadership legacy as being rooted in trust: keeping promises, showing vulnerability, staying calm under pressure, and building psychological safety.
7. Self-Care Enables Sustainable Leadership - From running six marathons to now studying languages, Claire emphasises the importance of doing something outside of work that brings joy and balance, especially in high-pressure roles.

Guest Information:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-blake-68974316

Website: https://www.qic.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Sims, a former corporate leader turned entrepreneur, to explore his journey from working with major organizations like Amazon and Royal Mail to running his own business. Matt shares the invaluable lessons he’s learned about leadership, adaptability, and the importance of structure in preventing chaos.

We dive into the reality of entrepreneurship—wearing every hat, handling unexpected challenges, and discovering the true essence of leadership when there’s no safety net. Matt also discusses organizational culture, the power of frontline workers, and why the state of a company’s restrooms might tell you everything you need to know about its leadership.

Whether you’re a corporate professional, a leader navigating change, or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights on making a real impact and staying true to your values. Tune in for an honest, engaging conversation filled with real-world experiences and actionable takeaways!

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership Without a Safety Net – True leadership is tested when you’re responsible for everything. As an entrepreneur, there’s no corporate structure to fall back on, making adaptability and resilience crucial.

• Structure Prevents Chaos – Whether in a corporate setting or running your own business, having clear processes and systems in place is essential for stability and growth.

• The Power of the Frontline – Employees on the ground often have the best insights into a company’s operations. Great leaders listen, empower, and learn from them.

• Culture Speaks Louder Than Words – The way an organization treats its people, maintains its workspaces, and upholds standards says a lot about its leadership. Even something as simple as restroom cleanliness can be a leadership indicator.

• Entrepreneurship is More Than a Job Title – Running your own business means wearing multiple hats, solving unexpected problems, and continuously evolving. Passion and perseverance are key to success.

• Lessons from Big Business Apply Everywhere – Experience in large corporations teaches valuable lessons about efficiency, leadership, and decision-making—skills that are just as relevant in small businesses and startups.

• Stay True to Your Values – Leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about integrity, accountability, and making a real impact, whether in a company or your own venture.

Guest Information:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/matt-sims-38173427

Website: https://www.eversolean.com

Publications:

The Bridge to Inspirational Leadership - https://amzn.to/41ChiIf

The Emergence of an Unexpected Leader - https://amzn.to/4hsGwyB

You never know where disruption hits! So how do you prepare for it?

Professor Costas Markides (LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOL) is a leading expert in the field of preparing organizations for sustainable change. According to him seeing disruption as a threat is equally wrong as seeing it as an opportunity. Tune in to EPISODE 05 to find out what IS the right way to respond. We are preparing many more episodes with leading business experts in the industry and this is your chance to ask the questions you always wanted to know. Let us know in the comments what topic has the most question marks for you (???) and we will let the experts speak!

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