035: Humility, Curiosity & the Click: What Makes a Great CEO with Shlomo Yanai

What does it take to lead at the highest levels — in war, in business, and beyond? In this episode, Sandy sits down with Shlomo Yanai, a man who has done exactly that. From commanding forces in the Yom Kippur War to transforming Teva Pharmaceuticals into an $18 billion global powerhouse, Shlomo's journey is unlike anything you've heard before. Born to Holocaust survivors, Shlomo brings a rare depth of perspective on resilience, leadership, and reinvention. The conversation explores what it truly means to "click" in a role — and why humility and curiosity may be the most underrated qualities in a CEO. If you're searching for your next great chapter, Shlomo's advice is simple: stop living in the past, and follow your gut. In this episode, you will hear: Growing up as the son of Holocaust survivors and the silence that shaped a generation Hiding his combat role from his parents — and the moment it all came to light Lessons from the Yom Kippur War and why Israel's military recovery defined his leadership philosophy Doubling Teva Pharmaceuticals' revenue to $18 billion through bold, people-first leadership Why the current CEO selection process is "precisely wrong" — and what should replace it Humility and curiosity as the most undervalued traits in executive leadership "Follow your gut" — advice for senior leaders navigating their next chapter Connect with Sandy Ogg: Website: https://www.sandyontalent.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyogg/  X: https://twitter.com/SandyOnTalent  Instagram: @SandyOnTalent Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.