Money doesn't give you control — perspective does. Former SoftBank CFO and bestselling author Alok Sharma joins The C-Suite Framework to unpack what really happens inside financial bubbles, how AI is quietly reshaping white-collar work, and why the biggest career breakthroughs often arrive disguised as failure.

Drawing on his experience leading multi-billion-dollar deals at SoftBank, overseeing the acquisition of ARM Holdings, and navigating extreme wealth and pressure, Alok reflects on decision-making under uncertainty, operational leadership, and the human cost of success.

You'll learn how to:

• Shift perspective when navigating bubbles and market hype

• Recognise when leverage, not valuation, creates real risk

• Understand how AI is already displacing white-collar roles

• Prepare for career inflection points disguised as setbacks

• Balance operational execution with long-term vision

• Make better decisions by knowing your own cognitive limits

About Alok:

Alok Sama is the author of the bestselling literary memoir The Money Trap: Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble. He serves as a Senior Advisor to Warburg Pincus LLC, chairs the Advisory Board for Valhalla Ventures and is a director of Baer Capital Partners.

He was formerly President & CFO of SoftBank Group International ("SBGI") and Chief Strategy Officer for SoftBank Group ("SBG"). While at SoftBank, Alok led the $59bn merger of Sprint and T-Mobile, the $34bn acquisition of ARM Holdings Plc, the $10bn disposition of SoftBank's stake in Alibaba Group Holding, among many other deals.

Alok has over 30 years of investment banking, capital market and investment experience in New York, London and Hong Kong. Alok was formerly a senior Managing Director at Morgan Stanley.

Alok co-founded Baer Capital Partners, an alternative asset management firm. He continues to be a Director of Baer Capital. He is a member of the CNBC Global CFO Council, and a former Chairman of the London Chapter of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO). He also holds an MFA for Creative Writing from NYU.

Chapters:

01:15 — Writing The Last Bubble and avoiding "success memoir" clichés

03:44 — Writing, craft, and ego

07:30 — Are we really in a bubble?

09:43 — Valuations vs leverage

13:02 — Technology cycles and timing

16:21 — Operator vs visionary

20:57 — Wealth, control, and walking away

23:28 — Career breaks disguised as failure

25:39 — AI and job displacement

29:59 — What future generations should learn

32:51 — Immigration, identity, and storytelling

Resources & Links:

• C-suite Framework courses & books: https://csuiteframework.co.uk/

• Read Jenny's eight lessons from The Money Trap

• Read about Irish government funding fo the arts - https://www.ft.com/content/15a6d3b9-81c0-46c6-a4b7-f881b5eeadad

Enjoying The C-Suite Framework?

• Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

• Leave a 5★ rating or quick review

• Share this episode with a leader navigating uncertainty

Security isn't a checkbox, it's a culture.

Former Navy Intelligence analyst and cybersecurity expert Cordell Robinson shows leaders how to embed security-by-design, strengthen compliance, and empower non-technical teams.

In this episode, host Jennifer Geary speaks with Cordell Robinson, founder & CEO of Brownstone Consulting, whose career spans military intelligence, software engineering, law, cybersecurity, and privacy. Cordell explains how non-technical executives can meaningfully shape cyber strategy, why compliance is really about culture, and how AI is being misused more than it's being mastered.

You'll learn how to:

• Shift from checkbox compliance to outcome-based security.

• Build security into your SDLC from day one.

• Ask the right questions as a non-technical leader.

• Avoid the biggest leadership mistakes in AI adoption.

• Strengthen culture, not just controls.

About Cordell Robinson:

Cordell Robinson is founder and CEO at Brownstone Consulting. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science / Electrical Engineering from Pepperdine University and a Jurist Doctor of Law from Georgetown University. He is a former Senior Naval Intelligence Analyst and is certified in C|CISO, CAP, and CRISC.

Chapters:

01:35 — Introducing Cordell Robinson

03:26 — Engineering, Navy intelligence & the pivot to cyber law

06:30 — Starting Brownstone Consulting

09:24 — What clients really ask for: compliance, AI governance & testing

11:02 — Why compliance matters beyond the certificate

13:03 — Culture change through testing & honest assessment

16:46 — Military discipline, leadership & communicating cyber risk

19:17 — Contingency planning & incident response in practice

20:37 — U.S. vs Europe: different regulatory mindsets

23:47 — Security-by-design & challenges in AI adoption

25:37 — How non-technical leaders can ask better questions

Resources & Links:

• C-suite Framework courses & books: https://csuiteframework.co.uk/

• The Cyber Security Handbook by Stephen Delahunty

• Check out Cordell's Compliance Aid app https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/compliance-aid/id6753880752
  

Enjoying The C-Suite Framework?

• Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

• Leave a 5★ rating or quick review

• Share with a leader who needs to strengthen their cyber mindset

Keywords

Noelle Mykolenko, Trusted Advisor, Trust Equation, Imposter Syndrome, C-Suite, Leadership, Empathy, AI, Organizational Growth, Professional Relationships

Summary

In this episode of the C-Suite Framework podcast, host Jennifer Geary welcomes Noelle Mykolenko, CEO of Trusted Advisor Associates. They discuss Noelle's journey from being a client of Trusted Advisor to leading the organization, emphasizing the importance of trust in professional relationships. The conversation delves into the Trust Equation, the impact of self-orientation and imposter syndrome, and how leaders can build trust as they transition into C-suite roles. Noelle also addresses the relevance of empathy in today's world and how technology, particularly AI, can enhance effectiveness without replacing the human element in relationships.

Nicole Mykolenko is CEO at Trusted Advisor Associates. She has a track record of enabling organisational excellence and growth across senior roles, built on a foundation of management consulting and US government work. She holds a Bachelors in French, Economics and International Business and an MBA from University of Virginia.

Takeaways

Noelle Mykolenko emphasizes the importance of trust in professional relationships.

The Trust Equation consists of credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation.

Self-orientation can detract from effective communication and relationship building.

Imposter syndrome is a common challenge for professionals, especially women.

Vulnerability is a powerful tool for building trust in leadership.

Empathy is crucial in understanding others' experiences and perspectives.

The mediums of communication may change, but human needs remain constant.

Leaders must be aware of their blind spots and strengths to build effective teams.

Reframing negative thoughts can help in overcoming self-doubt.

AI can enhance effectiveness but should not replace personal relationships.

Sound bites

"The power of trust makes things more meaningful."

"Trust is personal, it happens between two people."

"Vulnerability is a very powerful tool."

Chapters

02:41 – Noelle's career journey and how she discovered The Trusted Advisor

06:30 – Why The Trusted Advisor remains a long-lasting and influential framework

08:48 – An introduction to the Trust Equation and its core components

14:36 – Expanding on self-orientation and its impact on trust-building

17:00 – The importance of listening and presence in trust-based relationships

17:51 – How imposter syndrome intersects with self-orientation and leadership effectiveness

20:17 – Developing self-awareness as a foundational leadership capability

21:24 – Practising self-kindness and reframing doubt in senior leadership roles

23:22 – Applying the trust framework when transitioning into the C-suite

28:35 – Navigating moments when vulnerability isn't reciprocated

28:54 – The relevance of the Trusted Advisor model in a world of uncertainty and polarization

31:26 – How AI supports more effective human connection through enhanced insight and preparation