In this episode of MDA Insights, we’re joined by Andrew Larkin , leadership development expert at CIPD, whose career spans coaching, facilitation, and consultancy across change, resilience, and people management. With Andrew, we tackle a vital question for L&D and HR professionals: Can you really tell if leaders are changing—or are we just ticking boxes? Here’s what we dive into: Is leadership truly evolving, or is it the environment around it that’s shifting? How today’s leaders must respon...
Jun 23, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this episode of MDA Insights, we’re joined by Simon McGoran , CEO of C-Level Impact, a seasoned expert in leadership and organisational development with over 20 years of global experience. With Simon, we dive deep into a critical question for modern leaders: Is clarity in leadership just a buzzword, or is it the true currency of success? Here’s what we explore: The true meaning of clarity in leadership—beyond the clichés. Executive agility: Why clarity + velocity is the winning formula. How l...
May 19, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 6
This time, we’re joined by Burak Koyuncu , Head of Leadership Development at LHH , and a globally recognised thought leader whose work has featured in Harvard Business Review , MIT Sloan Management Review , Business Week , Financial Times , The Economist , and The Wall Street Journal . 🎙️ The Mindsets and Moves of Game-Changing Leaders In this episode, Burak dives deep into what separates the average from the exceptional in today’s leadership landscape. With a blend of academic rigour and real-...
Apr 24, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 5
This time, we’re joined by Paul Potts , a leadership and wellbeing specialist with a wealth of experience—formerly Head of Leadership at Maria Mallaband Care Group , and now Founder of Chevin Creative Learning . 🎙️ Compassionate Leadership – Beyond the Tick Box Paul’s spent years developing leaders in care, where empathy isn’t just encouraged—it’s essential. In this episode, he helps us unpack what compassionate leadership really means when things get tough. We dive into: Going beyond the buzzw...
Apr 09, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 4
This one’s a real eye-opener. We sat down with Carl Akintola-Davies , Head of Leadership Development at Phoenix Group, to talk about something that gets thrown around a lot... but rarely unpacked properly: What’s the actual difference between a leader and a manager? Here’s a line from Carl that really stopped us in our tracks: “Managers are appointed by those above them. Leaders are chosen by those around them.” Let that sink in. In this episode, we’re getting honest about: Why we tend to romant...
Mar 31, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Join us for a powerful conversation with Delme Thompson , Head of Global Events & Audience Development at CFA, as we unpack one of the toughest—and most transformative—skills in leadership: mastering difficult conversations. Let’s face it: every leader will face moments where they need to have the hard talk . But what separates good leaders from great ones is how they approach those moments. How do you stand firm with integrity while staying open, human, and constructive? Delme shares how re...
Mar 24, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Season 2, Episode 1 is HERE! Join us for an exciting conversation with Samantha De Alba , Talent Acquisition expert at Schroders, as we dive into the real challenges of building great teams and developing strong leaders. The old days of just picking the smartest people and hoping it works are over—so why doesn’t that strategy cut it anymore? Did it ever? We’re also tackling the changing workplace: How do we adapt to a world where emotional intelligence, adaptability, and communication are crucia...
Mar 12, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Episode 21 welcomes Ilya Shvetsov , Chief Human Resources Officer of Neon Labs - pioneering parallelised EVM, to explore the groundbreaking concept of bite-size learning. Discover how this innovative approach is reshaping professional development and making learning more accessible and effective than ever, the key benefits of micro-learning for employees, hear success stories straight from the forefront of innovation, and learn how to integrate bite-size learning with other developmental initiat...
Feb 23, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Episode 20 of MDA Insight Podcast is here to take you on a transformative journey! 🌟 Join the charismatic hosts, Oz Hussein and Paul Hewett from MDA Training , as they continue their riveting conversation with Bhavna Dalal - a best-selling author, coach, and TEDx sensation boasting an impressive 25+ years of expertise. In this segment labeled "Leadership skill: How to build trust and influence others? (Part 2)" Bhavna Dalal shares profound insights, effective strategies, and real-life narrative...
Oct 06, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 20
🎙️ Episode 19 is a game-changer! We've got the incredible Bhavna Dalal on board - bestselling author, coach, and TEDx sensation with a whopping 25+ years of expertise under her belt. Today, we're unravelling the magic of leadership in "Part 1: Mastering the Art of Influencing Others." Hosted by the dynamic duo, Oz and Paul from MDA Training , this episode promises a masterclass in leadership like never before. Stay tuned and get ready to supercharge your influence skills! 🚀🗣️ Hosted by the ta...
Sep 07, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 19
🎙️ 🎙️ Back and better than ever! Episode 18 is here and we've got Razan Kilani back on the mic! 🎉 Razan is a Master Certified Coach from the International Coaching Ferderation (ICF), and an emotional intelligence trainer, and is joining us once again. Hold onto your headphones as Oz and Paul from MDA Training tag-team to tackle The Money Dilemma: Does cold, hard cash truly reign supreme in the motivation game? 💰 Get comfy – we're cracking open this age-old chestnut. But wait, there's more! W...
Aug 30, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Join us bi-monthly on MDA Insights as we delve into the world of training and development, offering the latest insights, expert advice, and thought-provoking discussions. Hosted by the talented team at MDA Training, this podcast is your ultimate resource for enhancing your skills and unlocking your full potential. From early career trends to game-based learning, we've got you covered! Episode 17 of MDA Insights features our esteemed guest Robert Rubinstein , founder of the Tbli Group. With unpar...
Aug 04, 2023•13 min•Season 1Ep. 17
"In our latest project, we made a profound discovery: Many groundbreaking innovations and progress in organisations come from individuals who constantly learn skills beyond their current job requirements. Embracing continuous learning, even in unrelated areas, sparks a remarkable surge of creativity and ingenuity." Welcome to MDA Insights, hosted by the dynamic duo of Oz and Paul from MDA Training . In our electrifying 16th episode, we're back with Part 2 of "Creating disciplined, autonomous, pr...
Jul 27, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 16
🎙️ Embark on a transformative journey with us, as we unveil the secrets to professional growth and reaching your true potential. Welcome to MDA Insights, hosted by the dynamic duo of Oz and Paul from MDA Training . Brace yourself for the latest insights, expert advice, and mind-stirring discussions on training and development. This podcast is your gateway to unlocking unprecedented success. Tune in now and immerse yourself in the captivating world of top-level professional habits in Part 1 of o...
Jul 06, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Welcome to MDA Insights, your gateway to a world of endless possibilities for professional advancement. In this global podcast, hosted by the dynamic duo of Paul Hewett and Oz Hussein, Directors at MDA Training, we delve into the ever-evolving realm of training and development. In our captivating 14th episode, we turn the spotlight on the fascinating intersection of training and development with ESG and Impact Investing. Join us as we sit down with the visionary social entrepreneur, Robert Rubin...
Jun 21, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 14
🎙️ Tune in to the 13th instalment of MDA Insights, where we delve deeper into the realm of training and development, offering cutting-edge knowledge, expert guidance, and thought-provoking conversations. The dynamic team at MDA Training will be your hosts, dedicated to empowering professionals and helping them unleash their full potential. 🌟 In this second part of MDA Insights, we continue our discussion with Sabrina Breher, Global Business Partner at the Center for Creative Leadership- CCL. W...
Jun 15, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Welcome back to MDA Insights, your go-to podcast for training and development. Join us as we dive deep into the world of professional growth, delivering the latest insights, expert advice, and captivating discussions. Hosted by Paul Hewett and Oz Hussein , Directors at MDA Training, this podcast is designed to help you enhance your skills and unleash your full potential. Get ready for an electrifying conversation in our 12th episode as we welcome Razan Kilani , a certified International Coach Fe...
Jun 05, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 12
🎙️ Join us for the 11th episode of MDA Insights, where we unravel the realm of training and development, delivering cutting-edge insights, expert advice, and thought-provoking discussions. The dynamic team at MDA Training, your hosts, are committed to empowering professionals, helping them unlock their true potential. From emerging career trends to innovative game-based learning, MDA Insights covers it all. 🌟 In this episode of MDA Insights, we're joined by Sabrina Breher, Global Business Part...
May 26, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Discover the world of training and development with MDA Insights, the global podcast that brings you the latest insights, expert advice, and thought-provoking discussions. Hosted by the talented team at MDA Training , this podcast is dedicated to helping professionals enhance their skills and reach their full potential. From early career trends to game-based learning and everything in between, MDA Insights has got you covered. In this week's episode, Oz Hussein and Paul Hewitt are joined by Rahu...
May 16, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 10
🎧 Looking for a podcast that will take your professional skills to the next level? Look no further than MDA Insights! Our bi-monthly show is your go-to source for the latest trends, expert advice, and in-depth discussions on all things training and development. 👥 This week, we're thrilled to have industry expert Wais Achikzad on the show. With over 15 years of experience at top firms like Moran Stanley and JP Morgan Chase, Wais is now the co-founder of Xen Culture Solutions, where he helps bus...
Apr 21, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 9
🎧 Get ready to level up your professional development and unlock your full potential with MDA Insights, the podcast dedicated to the world of training and development. Our 8th episode is a must-listen, as we explore how companies can encourage early career professionals to create a culture of ongoing learning. 👥 Join us as we chat with Şebnem Elif Kocaoğlu Ulbrich, Founder of Contextual Solutions, about the mindset of early career professionals towards entrepreneurship and startups, the role o...
Apr 18, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Join us for the latest episode of MDA Insights where we talk about the impact of technology on career development in the digital age. Our guest, Aswini Bajaj, Best Finance Trainer in India - India Education Awards - 2019, shares his expert insights on the new tools and resources available for career development. According to Mr Bajaj, "The application of technology can undoubtedly enhance the training experience, but L&D will always be centred around human interaction. At the end of the day,...
Apr 10, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 7
🎧 Listen in to the sixth episode of MDA Insights, where we explore how L&D initiatives can boost employee engagement and retention, featuring Vaishali Wagle, Founder of Zenesse and Executive Leadership Coach. Join the discussion hosted by Paul and Oz, Directors at MDA Training. In this episode, we discuss ‘How L&D initiatives can help boost employee engagement and retention’ where we decode the impact of L&D in turbulent times, and discover how to cultivate positive thoughts for pro...
Mar 31, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Ready to uncover the secrets of Wall Street's culture and the future of work? Join MDA Insights' latest episode with industry expert Wais Achikzad, who has worked with Moran Stanley and JP Morgan Chase for 15 years, and now co-founder of Xen Culture Solutions. Join Paul and Oz, Directors at MDA Training, on the latest episode of MDA Insights! Learn how L&D can tackle industry challenges and drive your professional growth. Tune in bi-monthly for the latest insights and thought-provoking discu...
Mar 24, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Ready to enhance your professional skills and reach your full potential? Join us bi-monthly on MDA Insights, the podcast dedicated to training and development for professionals. Our talented team at MDA Training brings you the latest insights, expert advice, and thought-provoking discussions on everything from early career trends to game-based learning and beyond. In our latest episode, we're excited to welcome Rawan Kayat, an influencer and Head of Content at Zbooni, to discuss a topic that's e...
Mar 17, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Welcome back to the MDA Insight podcast! In this episode, we continue our exploration of the world of training and development with a focus on the value of mentorship programs. Joined by our guest Binod, a qualified coach, mentor, and guest speaker at CNBC and Bloomberg, we delve deeper into the topic and discuss how mentorship can transform your career trajectory. As we build on our previous discussions on the benefits of on-the-job training, Binod offers his expertise on the practicalities of ...
Mar 10, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Welcome to MDA Insights Global Podcast, where we explore the world of training and development. In today's episode, we're joined by Binod Shankar, a qualified coach, mentor and guest speaker at CNBC and Bloomberg, to discuss the benefits of on-the-job training and mentorship programs. Throughout the episode, we delve into the effectiveness of on-the-job training compared to off-the-job training, the different forms of on-the-job training, and how to ensure consistency and effectiveness when assi...
Feb 16, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In this first episode of MDA Insights, Paul Hewett and Oz Hussein are joined by special guest Kasia Siwosz, an expert in the field of investment banking and emotional intelligence. The trio explores the topic of emotional intelligence (EQ) and its significance in the world of investment banking. The hosts delve into the key to becoming a successful investment banker and how EQ plays a vital role. They explore the various skills and traits associated with high EQ, such as self-awareness, empathy,...
Feb 08, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 1
