Sandy on Talent - Insights and Strategies for Leadership Excellence and Talent Optimization

In part one of this two-part episode of Sandy on Talent, Sandy sits down with Jan Zijderveld, a rare breed of truly global executive who built an extraordinary career spanning eight countries across three continents. From brand manager in New Zealand to President of Unilever Europe — a $14 billion business across 34 countries — Jan shares the leadership lessons, hard-won instincts, and pattern recognition that only come from decades of doing difficult things in unfamiliar places.
Jan opens up about his high-stakes turnaround of Avon Products, why the CEO success rate hovers around 27%, and how the right "click" between talent, work, and role is the real driver of extraordinary outcomes.
His advice is simple but profound: start with the end in mind, take risks, get your flying hours, and surround yourself with people who inspire you.
In this episode, you will hear:
How Jan Zijderveld built a truly global career across eight countries and three continents
The nearly 30-year Unilever journey that took him from brand manager to President of Europe
Leading a high-stakes turnaround at Avon Products and navigating its acquisition by Natura
Why only 27% of top-tier CEO talent actually succeeds — and what's really behind the gap
Sandy's "click" framework and how it connects talent, work, and role as the real driver of success
The case for pattern recognition and flying hours over raw talent alone
Why starting with the end in mind — and surrounding yourself with inspiring people — is Jan's blueprint for a life well lived
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:
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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.

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.

What if you could transform a personal setback into an extraordinary career in collegiate sports? Tracy Smith, the head baseball coach at the University of Michigan, did just that. From his modest beginnings in Kentland, Indiana, to climbing the ranks in university baseball coaching, Tracy's story is one of resilience and strategic thinking. Listen as he shares how a life-changing car accident redirected his path, allowing him to channel his energy into coaching and developing Major League talents like Kyle Schwarber. This episode is your chance to glean insights from a seasoned coach who has not only survived the challenges of leadership in sports but has thrived, with 805 career victories and 90 MLB draft picks to his name.
Tracy walks us through the intricacies of building successful coaching programs, revealing the art of balancing coaching skills with business acumen. His journey from Miami University to Indiana University is filled with rich stories, like playing every position in a single game and lessons on stepping out of comfort zones. Discover how he secured significant investments for program facilities and what it takes to nurture young athletes, guiding them to reach their full potential. His candid reflections on leadership provide a blueprint for anyone looking to create a positive and enduring impact in their field.
In this episode, you will hear:
Tracy Smith's journey from Kentland, Indiana, to coaching success at the University of Michigan.
Insights into building a successful collegiate coaching program.
Leadership challenges and the importance of authenticity and strategic alignment.
Developing MLB talents like Kyle Schwarber and the impact of strong leadership.
Navigating personal and professional challenges in collegiate sports.
Creating a cohesive ecosystem and finding the 'Click' for team success.
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.

In this episode, Sandy sits down with Lord David Puttnam—Academy Award–winning producer of Chariots of Fire, The Killing Fields, and The Mission—to explore what it truly takes to build a life of meaning, impact, and excellence. From being born during the Blitz to reshaping British film, education policy, and environmental legislation, Lord Puttnam reveals the through-line that connects his remarkable journey: self-awareness, purpose, and the drive to "amaze" rather than simply perform.
Together, they discuss resilience, creative leadership, commercial discipline in the arts, and the difference between ego-driven ambition and mission-driven work. Lord Puttnam reflects on his time in film, politics, and education—and the lessons that matter most.
For anyone searching for the intersection between talent and purpose, this conversation delivers enduring insight.
In this episode, you will hear:
The discipline of self-education and learning to connect seemingly unrelated ideas
The standard of "amaze me" and why good is never good enough
Producing award-winning films with purpose, including Chariots of Fire, The Killing Fields, and Local Hero
The difference between ego and mission in creative leadership
Transitioning from film to public policy, education reform, and the UK Climate Change Act
Why self-awareness and identity are foundational to finding your true "click"
Resources from this Episode
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Puttnam
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230605-local-hero-why-the-iconic-scottish-environmental-film-was-decades-ahead-of-its-time
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.

In this episode of Sandy on Talent, Sandy sits down with Sam Miller, founder and Chief Product and Technology Officer of Proteus Motion, to explore what it really takes to turn a powerful idea into a meaningful, world-changing business. Sam shares his journey from growing up around a half-finished invention in his basement to building a company that is redefining how human strength and power are measured across sports, health, and longevity.
The conversation explores entrepreneurship, grit, and the long road from concept to market, including why power is emerging as one of the most important indicators of performance and aging. Sam also opens up about stepping out of the CEO role to focus on where he creates the most value, and how finding the right "click" between talent, work, and role can change everything.
This episode is a candid, thoughtful conversation about innovation, impact, and designing work around your true strengths.
In this episode, you will hear:
How Sam Miller turned a childhood exposure to unfinished invention into a decade-long entrepreneurial journey
The origins and evolution of Proteus Motion and why multidirectional power measurement matters
Why power is emerging as a critical biomarker for performance, aging, and longevity
Lessons learned from bootstrapping, early rejection, and slow-market adoption
The difference between fascinating technology and real-world value creation
Stepping out of the CEO role to maximize personal impact and organizational growth
Finding the "click" between talent, work, and role to unlock long-term fulfillment
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.