Burn The Rules with Chet Hirani

When you present something important and the room goes quiet most leaders feel relieved. They read the silence as agreement. They're wrong.Susanna Romantsova is the creator of the Safe Challenger Method™ a framework built at the intersection of psychological safety and high performance. She's a Forbes 30 Under 30, TEDx speaker, and former DEI leader at IKEA, with a track record inside Deloitte, ABB, DHL, Puma, and ING.In this conversation, we get into why psychological safety has nothing to do with comfort, why a quiet room is a warning sign and not a calm one, and the single behaviour she discovered in practice never in any book that determines whether your team ever brings their real thinking to you again.She also burns the golden rule. The one most leaders would defend with their lives.One of the best conversations we've had on this show.IN THIS EPISODEWhat Susanna notices in the first five minutes of walking into any senior leadership team and what most people completely missThe pressure nobody sees from the outside: how to balance credibility with deep empathy while challenging people at the same timeGrowing up across three countries and speaking four languages and how that kind of background changes how you read a roomThe Matthew Effect: how the initial advantages people receive early in their careers distort how leaders assess potential and what to do about itThe silence question: what to ask when a room goes quiet after you've presented something importantThe behaviour no book has written about three ways leaders unknowingly destroy safety the moment someone is first brave with themThe Safe Challenger Method™: Trust, Insight, Clarity and which one is hardest to hold under real pressureWhy self-trust is the foundation of everything and how asking 'why don't I trust myself' reveals exactly what your team is missingThe golden rule she burned and the new one she uses insteadThe leadership paradox: how to stop thinking in opposites and start leading in the tensionConnect with Susanna:LinkedInYouTubeInstagramSafe Challenger KitMore on me:Take the Pressure Pattern CheckFor more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book:Burn The Rules HereConnect, Follow & Subscribe:LinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTok

Think about yesterday. Your entire day. From the moment you woke up to the moment your head hit the pillow.Now tell me how much of that day was genuinely productive? Not busy. Productive.How many of those meetings actually needed you? How many of those emails moved the needle?And how many hours were spent doing things that felt like work but changed absolutely nothing?Be honest. Because I already know the answer.Most of it was noise.This episode is called Being Busy Is Not Leadership. And before you think this is another anti-hustle, work less and meditate conversation it's not. I'm going after both sides today. Because hustle culture is a lie. But so is the idea that doing less is automatically doing better.Most leaders are trapped somewhere in between. Exhausted and ineffective at the same time.Let me show you a way out.▶ IN THIS EPISODE- The 90-minute inbox trap: how I spent the best hours of every day on other people's priorities and called it a good start- Why hustle culture is self-destruction with a motivational quote on top and what the research actually says about productivity past 55 hours- Why the anti-hustle movement has a problem too and why 'protecting your energy' has become code for avoiding discomfort- The season everything fell apart: the business, the personal challenges, the decision to get busier instead of facing what was real- The five-minute morning practice that rebuilt my clarity, my focus, and my sense of direction and why it works when nothing else did- Three signs your busyness is noise and not leadership: you're the bottleneck, you're confusing presence with impact, and you're using busyness to hide- Three moves you can make this week and why the time audit result will shock you▶ KEY MOMENTS00:00 The Illusion of Productivity03:46 The Dangers of Busyness06:30 Finding Alignment in Leadership09:42 Identifying the Bottlenecks12:32 Taking Control of Your Time15:16 Redefining Leadership15:44 The Practice of LeadershipMore on me:Take the Pressure Pattern CheckFor more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book:Burn The Rules HereConnect, Follow & Subscribe:LinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTokKeywords:#BurnTheRules #leadfromwithin #leadership #productivity #busyness #focus #burnout #timemanagement #executiveleadership #clarity #podcast

Most of how you're feeling at work right now is probably not your fault. That's not an excuse that's neuroscience.As VP of Human Capital at Pure Harvest Smart Farms. Natalie has spent years studying how leaders behave under pressure, what the brain actually does when it feels threatened, and why calm is contagious in exactly the same way chaos is.In this conversation, we get into the 3 leadership capabilities she believes will define who survives what's coming Emotional Intelligence, Adaptability, Resourcefulness and the deeply personal story that forged her entire philosophy. Her words on the adoption journey she went through: they made me jump through hoops, then lit those hoops on fire.▶ IN THIS EPISODEThe neuroscience of pressure: what happens in your brain when you feel threatened and why your thinking slows down exactly when you need it mostWhy calm is contagious and so is chaos and what that means for every interaction you have as a leaderThe Future Ready Set: EQ (Emotional Intelligence), AQ (Adaptability), and RQ (Resourcefulness) and why you can't learn any of them in a training roomThe adoption journey that changed her entire relationship with failure and why she's grateful for every hoop they lit on fireConnect with Natalie:Natalie on LinkedInNatalie on InstagramChapters00:00 Navigating Current Challenges04:45 Life in the Food Industry07:44 Understanding Human Capital10:15 The Role of Human Capital in Business12:48 Breaking the Perfectionism Cycle15:51 Leadership Capabilities for the Future18:38 The Importance of Adaptability21:24 Empowering Opinions and Respecting Others25:55 Continuous Learning Beyond School27:32 Understanding Pressure and Its Effects on Leadership30:24 Recognizing Signals of Losing Control32:06 The Importance of Seeking Support33:52 Embracing Failure and Resilience36:12 The Shift from Fear of Failure to Resourcefulness38:53 The Journey of Adoption and Personal Growth41:25 Finding Gratitude in Difficult Experiences43:20 Patterns of Leadership Across Different Industries48:32 Taking Action with Resourcefulness49:59 Quickfire Questions and Personal Insights52:37 Redefining Leadership53:06 The Practice of LeadershipMore on me:Take the Pressure Pattern CheckFor more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book:Burn The Rules HereConnect, Follow & Subscribe:LinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTokKeywords:Leadership, Resilience, Future Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Agri-tech, UAE,

In this episode, I'm making the argument that most leaders stopped thinking for themselves long before AI arrived. They outsourced their judgment to committees, consultants, data dashboards, and best practices they copied from whoever spoke at the last conference. AI didn't create the problem. It exposed it.I break down the three ways leaders have been outsourcing their thinking for decades consensus addiction, data worship, and best-practice copying and share the stories from my own career that taught me what judgment actually is and why it can't be automated.If AI is making you nervous, this episode will tell you exactly why. And it won't be the answer you were expecting.The real revolution isn't artificial intelligence. It's actual intelligence. And the question at the end of this episode is a simple one: do you like what you see in the mirror?More on me:Take the Pressure Pattern CheckFor more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book:Burn The Rules HereConnect, Follow & Subscribe:LinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTokKeywords:Leadership, AI, Judgment, Decision-Making, Leadership Crisis, Organizational Culture, Decision Autonomy, Leadership Development

What do you do when the world makes you visible for the worst possible reason and you have no control over the story being told about you? Michelle Raymond knows that feeling better than most.She's a 25-year HR veteran who's worked inside some of the world's most complex organisations Amazon, BT, Deloitte. She's a non-executive director, a TEDx speaker, an author, and one of the most sharp-minded leadership strategists working today.But none of that came easily. And none of it came first.Before the career, the books, and the boardrooms there was a period where Michelle was being defined by a story she didn't write. And in the middle of it all, she made one decision that changed everything: she would never let anyone else control her visibility again.This is one of the most honest conversations we've had on Burn The Rules. Don't miss it.▶ IN THIS EPISODEWhy most big organisations treat their people like lanyards and what they're losing because of itBeing made redundant on maternity leave and how it became the catalyst that drove her entire careerThe difference between making noise and making a sound and which one actually gets you furtherHer TED talk, her personal story, and the promise she made that became her life's missionChapters00:00 Introduction and Connection03:07 Navigating Change and the Queen of Pivot07:28 Understanding Employee Value in Corporations11:19 Lessons from Boardroom Leadership17:09 The Importance of Simplifying Communication20:03 The Impact of Networking on Personal Brand25:13 The Reality of Following Your Passion30:05 Burning Rules and Taking Control34:35 Trust and Personal Experience in Organizations40:09 Corporate Introversion and Leadership43:35 Visibility and Personal Challenges53:59 Retention Strategies for Talent Loss57:29 Final Thoughts and Quickfire Questions01:01:01 Redefining Leadership01:01:29 The Practice of LeadershipConnect with Michelle:Michelle Raymond's Book - David's Guide to GoliathMichelle Raymond's InstagramMichelle Raymond's LinkedInThe Talent RevolutionMore on me:Take the Pressure Pattern CheckFor more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book:Burn The Rules HereConnect, Follow & Subscribe:LinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTok

It was 2010. I'm standing on a stage in front of 250 people and I'm falling apart.Hands shaking. Voice cracking. Eyes locked on the floor because I knew if I made contact with a single person in that audience, I was done. I was a corporate leader who could run multi-million pound programmes and sit across from a C-suite board without flinching. And I couldn't get through five minutes on a stage without wanting to disappear.But here's what I've realised since: the problem wasn't the stage. It wasn't the audience. It wasn't the lights or the room.It was me.This is the conversation nobody wants to have, because the problem isn't fear. The problem is what you're doing with it.▶ IN THIS EPISODEThe lie that high-performing leaders tell themselves every day and why 'waiting for the right time' is just fear wearing a suitThe client story: a senior leader promoted to a global role who started falling apart and what we uncovered when we stopped talking about strategyFrom 2010 disaster to TEDx red dot and what those 12 years taught me about fear, readiness, and what it means to own your storyThe three disguises fear uses on leaders: perfectionism, over-preparation, and comparison and how to call each one outWhy awareness without action is just entertainment and the three moves you can make today, not this weekend, today▶ THE THREE MOVES DO THESE TODAYNot this weekend. Not when you've had time to think about it. Today.Name the fear you've been disguising call it what it is, out loud if you have to, because fear loses power the second you stop pretending it's something elseFlip your what ifs write down the three what ifs running your decisions, then rewrite them. 'What if I fail' becomes 'what if this works.' That's not positive thinking. That's accurate thinking.Take one imperfect action send the message, book the meeting, start the project, have the conversation. It doesn't have to be good. It has to be real.Chapters00:00 Facing the Fear of Public Speaking03:46 Understanding Fear as a Leadership Challenge06:30 The Role of Fear in Leadership Growth09:44 Transforming Fear into Action12:27 Identifying and Overcoming Disguised Fears15:18 Taking Action Against Fear16:38 Redefining Leadership17:07 The Practice of LeadershipMore on me:Take the Pressure Pattern CheckFor more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book:Burn The Rules HereConnect, Follow & Subscribe:LinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTokKeywords:leadership, mindset, self-sabotage, confidence, decision-making, overcoming fear

What happens when you look at a billion-dollar industry, realise it's been stealing from the people doing all the work, and decide to burn the whole model down? Abdullah Abbas did exactly that.He's the founder of Helpy a platform disrupting the Gulf services market with zero commission, a Netflix-style subscription model, and a culture that operates more like a family than a corporate machine. He started working at 16 on a market stall. Built his first business in Mayfair while at uni. Failed at a few. Kept going. And never once looked stressed doing it.In this conversation, we got into what it actually looks like to lead without a rulebook. How you handle pressure when the database leaks. Why silence is sometimes the most powerful thing you can say. And the one question every entrepreneur should ask before taking advice from anyone.Abdullah Abbas is the founder and CEO of Helpy a service marketplace platform operating across the Gulf region, built on a zero-commission model designed to put money back in the hands of the people actually doing the work. He's also a multi-sector entrepreneur who's built businesses across concierge services, hospitality, food and beverage, and tech. Originally from the UK, based in the Middle East.Connect with Abdullah:LinkedInLinktr.eeChapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Background01:30 The Concept of Helpy08:53 The Role of a CEO and Entrepreneurial Life13:02 Abdullah's Entrepreneurial Journey17:47 Learning from Mistakes and Overcoming Negativity27:38 Taking Control of Your Decisions30:16 The Value of Advice and Wisdom32:35 Navigating Pressure in Business40:02 The Importance of Self-Reflection46:10 Leadership and Active Listening50:33 The Power of Silence and Change55:00 Taking Action and Making an ImpactMore on me:Take the Pressure Pattern CheckFor more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book, Burn The RulesConnect, Follow & Subscribe:LinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTokKeywordsEntrepreneurship, Leadership, Business Growth, Middle East, Startup, Pressure Management, Business Advice, Personal Development

Most leaders are following a rulebook they never agreed to. One that says control is leadership, vulnerability is weakness, and success is a title on a business card. In this raw solo episode, Chet tears up that rulebook and shares the personal moments that forced him to see it for what it really was a trap.From a health scare that stopped everything, to a redundancy he celebrated, to a 180-mile bike ride that broke him down and rebuilt him from the inside out Chet gets real about why the old rules of leadership are broken, the three specific rules that need burning, and what it actually looks like to lead from within.If you’ve ever felt stuck, drained, or like you’re performing a version of leadership that doesn’t feel like you this is the episode to listen to.[00:00] The rulebook nobody questioned — Chet lays out the unwritten rules most leaders follow without realising it[02:21] The moment everything cracked — a health scare, a misdiagnosis, and the reckoning that followed[03:30] The redundancy that changed everything — why Chet celebrated losing his job[04:15] Old Rule #1: Control equals leadership — the micromanaging boss story and why trust is the real strategy[05:30] Old Rule #2: Don’t show weakness — leading a restructuring while doubting himself behind closed doors[07:00] Old Rule #3: Success is the title — the trap that catches the most ambitious people[08:00] The 180-mile bike ride — where the 5 States of Optimisation were born[09:45] Your move — three things to do today to start burning the rules[11:30] Close — Chet’s challenge to you and how to go deeperKey Takeaways:The rulebook is invisible but powerful. Most leaders are operating from a set of inherited beliefs about what leadership should look like work harder, don’t show weakness, protect your position. These rules were never agreed to, but they run everything.The old rules collapse under pressure. They hold up when things are going well. But when life hits a health scare, a redundancy, a moment of real crisis they offer nothing. That’s when leaders realise they’ve been performing, not leading.Control isn’t leadership trust is. Micromanagement doesn’t build capable teams. It builds dependency. Real leadership means letting go of the reins and trusting people to deliver.Vulnerability isn’t weakness it’s the foundation of trust. The strongest leaders are the ones who can say “I don’t have all the answers, but I’m working through this with you.”Success isn’t the title it’s alignment. When what you do matches who you are, that’s sustainable performance. Everything else is a mask with a salary attached.More on me:Take the Pressure Pattern CheckFor more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book, Burn The RulesConnect, Follow & Subscribe:LinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTok

In this engaging conversation, Ron Thurston shares his extensive journey in the retail industry, discussing his experiences with various brands and the evolution of his leadership style. He emphasizes the importance of frontline workers and the impact of technology, particularly AI, on customer experience. Ron also highlights the significance of networking and building relationships, as well as the lessons learned throughout his career. He reflects on his books, which aim to empower individuals in the retail sector and beyond, and encourages listeners to embrace their own potential and the value of their experiences.Connect with Ron:LinkedInRonThurston.comChapters00:00 Introduction and Background04:04 Ron Thurston's Retail Journey06:48 The Impact of AI on Retail09:24 Celebrating Frontline Workers11:49 Navigating the Changing Job Market14:20 The Role of Technology in Retail17:05 Books and Their Impact19:35 Optimizing Human Potential22:18 Building Relationships in Retail24:51 The Importance of Networking27:26 Finding Identity and Confidence30:39 Optimizing Human Potential Through In-Person Connections33:41 The Evolution of Leadership Styles36:49 Unlearning Self-Imposed Rules39:22 Navigating Pressure Moments in Leadership43:57 The Importance of Sharing Experiences49:40 Making Decisions with Integrity51:07 Engaging with Your CommunityMore on me:Take the Pressure Pattern CheckFor more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book, Burn The RulesConnect, Follow & Subscribe:LinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTokKeywordsRetail, Leadership, Technology, AI, Frontline Workers, Networking, Personal Growth, Books, Human Potential, Customer Experience

Chet unpacks the real cost of avoidance in leadership and why the decision you delay becomes background noise that affects everything your energy, tone, speed, and trust.You’ll understand:The four hidden costs of avoidanceWhy leaders delay decisionsThe difference between discomfort and dangerHow to remove noise instead of chasing perfect outcomesA clean structure for handling difficult conversationsWhy clarity doesn’t require guiltIf there’s something sitting in your head right now that you haven’t dealt with this episode will help you move.Leadership doesn’t give you certainty.It gives you responsibility.More on me:Take the Pressure Pattern CheckFor more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book, Burn The RulesConnect, Follow & Subscribe:LinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTokKeywordsLead From Within, Leadership decisions ,Avoiding hard conversations, Leadership under pressure, Decision avoidance, Emotional intelligence in leadership, Setting boundaries at work, Handling difficult conversations, Leadership mindset, Remove decision fatigue, Pressure Pattern Check

Chet and Danial Kaabi explore the journey of entrepreneurship, focusing on the challenges and rewards of running Horizon Offshore Marine Services. Danial shares insights into the importance of partnerships, the pressures of being a CEO, and the necessity of maintaining a work-life balance. He emphasizes the role of physical fitness in managing stress and the significance of support systems in navigating the complexities of leadership. The discussion highlights the realities of startup life, the need for delusion and determination, and the impact of personal experiences on professional growth. In this conversation, Danial Kaabi shares his insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of building trust and respect within teams. He discusses the significance of relationships in business, the need for vulnerability, and the power of honesty in communication. Danial reflects on his leadership style, shaped by his experiences and observations, and highlights the challenges of maintaining emotional balance as a leader. He encourages listeners to embrace their individuality in leadership and to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations, ultimately advocating for a more personal and authentic approach to management.Connect with Danial:LinkedInMore on me:Take the Pressure Pattern CheckFor more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book, Burn The RulesConnect, Follow & Subscribe:LinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTokKeywords:CEO, entrepreneurship, leadership, family, offshore marine, business challenges, work-life balance, personal growth, startup journey, managing expectations, leadership, trust, relationships, vulnerability, honesty, emotional intelligence, business culture, management style, personal growth, CEO insights

Chet discusses the concept of 'noise' in leadership, emphasising that it is not workload that drains leaders but rather the internal state they operate from. He introduces a framework called the 'five states of optimisation' to help leaders diagnose their behaviour under pressure and offers practical strategies for resetting their state to lead more effectively. Chet encourages leaders to take control of their emotional temperature and to run a 'noise scan' to identify areas for improvement.TakeawaysNoise is the real drain, not workload.Your state sets your standard.Chapters00:00Understanding Noise in Leadership04:16The Five States of Optimisation07:09Practical Strategies for Resetting Your StateTake the Pressure Pattern CheckFor more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book, Burn The RulesConnect, Follow & Subscribe:LinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTok

Anish Patel, a wealth manager working with professionals, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth families to bring clarity and structure to their financial lives. He help people build efficient, long-term strategies that align their money with what actually matters to them today and for the future. Outside of finance, he's spent over 15 years as a professional DJ, which has shaped how he think about discipline, creativity, and understanding people. Those same principles guide how he works with clients.Connect with Anish: LinkedinInstagramIn this conversation, Chet and Anish delve into the world of wealth management, exploring its significance for individuals across generations. Anish shares insights on the emotional aspects of financial planning, the importance of building trust with clients, and the challenges faced in the industry. They discuss the need for self-reflection and the impact of personal values on leadership. The conversation emphasises the importance of overcoming doubt and the necessity of looking inwards to foster personal growth and effective decision-making.TakeawaysWealth management is not just for the wealthy; it's for everyone.Aligning financial goals with personal values is crucial.The younger generation often underestimates the importance of financial planning.Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in financial decision-making.Building trust with clients is essential for success in wealth management.Self-reflection is key to understanding one's values and goals.Managing pressure effectively can lead to better decision-making.Questioning societal rules can lead to personal growth and leadership development.Doubt is a common challenge that everyone faces, including leaders.Taking charge of one's energy and focus can improve overall well-being.For more information about me go to: chethirani.comGet my Award Winning Bestselling book, Burn The RulesLinkedInYoutubeInstagramFacebookTikTok