In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Lamiaa Soliman, a global leader working at the intersection of healthcare, technology, AI, and international expansion.

Drawing from lived experience across the Middle East, Europe, and North America, Lamiaa shares what it truly means to lead across cultures — not from theory, but from practice. From navigating healthcare adoption in culturally sensitive markets to understanding why slowing down can be a strategic advantage, this conversation explores how trust, listening, humility, and context shape successful leadership.

Lamiaa also reflects on growing up in Saudi Arabia, bridging Western and Middle Eastern leadership models, dispelling stereotypes, and why representation, ethical AI, and human-centered design matter more than ever in global healthcare.

This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation for leaders navigating complexity, change, and cross-border work in today’s world.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed

01:10 — Introducing Lamiaa Solaiman

02:09 — Returning to Saudi Arabia and unlearning assumptions

03:41 — Women, technology, and shifting cultural narratives

04:57 — The challenge of leading across cultures

05:48 — Healthcare as a culturally sensitive space

06:47 — Why language and naming matter

07:46 — Human-centered design across borders

08:40 — “Same language, different meanings”

10:09 — Family dynamics and patient decision-making

11:43 — Expanding healthcare platforms globally

13:19 — Navigating the NHS and public systems

14:49 — Time, trust, and relationship-based regions

15:53 — Growing up between cultures

18:01 — Skills leaders need in cross-cultural meetings

19:44 — Listening beyond words

21:16 — Growth mindset and adapting to change

22:15 — AI adoption in unexpected ways

25:30 — A lesson in slowing down during conflict

27:29 — Dispelling stereotypes through presence

29:55 — Polarization, identity, and empathy

32:24 — Diversity, inclusion, and lived experience

37:30 — AI, healthcare, and representation

41:14 — Ethics, data, and patient impact

45:43 — Genomics and population health

47:30 — Leadership shaped by upbringing

50:09 — Majlis, storytelling, and leadership without titles

52:45 — Ego, humility, and informed leadership

56:24 — How leaders can build cultural fluency

01:00:19 — Where to connect with Lamiaa

01:02:00 — Final reflections and close

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In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Aamer Hasham, Vice President of Client Partner at Bits In Glass, to explore what it really means to lead digital transformation without losing the human element.

As organizations race to adopt AI, automation, and new technologies, Aamer challenges a common assumption: that transformation is purely digital. Instead, he reframes transformation as a deeply human process — one that requires clarity of purpose, empathy, conscious leadership, and the courage to slow down in order to move forward.

Together, they explore leadership blind spots in AI adoption, the importance of understanding why before how, and how mindfulness, reflection, and human connection can actually accelerate performance in complex, fast-moving environments.

This episode is a thoughtful conversation for leaders navigating uncertainty, scale, and change — and for anyone asking how to balance efficiency, innovation, and humanity in the age of AI.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed

00:32 – What this podcast is about

00:45 – Today’s focus: digital transformation & humanity

01:15 – Introducing Aamer Hasham, VP at Bits In Glass

01:58 – Business fads vs human-centered leadership

02:54 – The tension between efficiency and humanity

03:27 – Why “digital transformation” misses the human

03:51 – Understanding the why before acting

04:47 – Leadership responsibility & creating safe spaces

05:55 – Clear thinking in complex initiatives

06:18 – How AI can create space for deeper thinking

07:01 – Organic leadership vs rigid methodologies

08:06 – Mechanics vs meaning in transformation

09:21 – Asking “why” repeatedly

10:24 – Qualitative vs quantitative value

11:42 – Alignment before acceleration

12:45 – Leadership blind spots in digital change

13:34 – “Failing forward” and cognitive overload

14:27 – Slowing down thinking vs slowing operations

15:33 – Time as a leadership variable

16:45 – Fixed mindsets & unconscious habits

17:19 – Mindfulness and awareness in leadership

18:13 – Meditation, biking & conscious detachment

20:22 – Slower speed as growth

21:47 – Deep thought as productivity

22:43 – Creating human connection in fast teams

23:34 – Getting to know your people

24:25 – Modeling wellbeing as a leader

25:49 – Airline transformation case study

27:14 – Communication breakdowns vs technical issues

28:28 – Reducing chaos through clarity

29:54 – Burnout, flexibility & team awareness

31:14 – Relationships as the core of leadership

32:20 – Productivity vs happiness research

33:28 – Finding balance between efficiency & empathy

34:09 – Lessons from entrepreneurship & legacy

35:30 – Innovation driven by listening

37:14 – Empathy, honesty & difficult conversations

38:58 – Humanity as a leadership advantage

41:03 – AI freeing time for human connection

43:13 – Data, insight & reducing stress

45:01 – Automation enabling better collaboration

46:22 – Using AI for responsiveness, not reactivity

47:31 – Measuring trust and team sentiment

48:52 – Reflection, impermanence & leadership growth

49:57 – Loss, learning & mindset

51:23 – Presence, purpose & relationships

54:10 – Where to find Aamer

56:31 – Closing & subscribe

Get in touch with Aamer:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aamer-hasham-66ab543/

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In this episode of Leading Minds Revealed, host Michael Apollo sits down with Jo Knowler, Head of People & Talent at SBE Media Group, to explore how leaders can build resilient teams in fast-changing, founder-led and AI-driven workplaces.

From team culture to learning environments, neurodiversity, adaptability, and leadership under rapid growth — Jo brings deeply human insights from the front lines of scaling brands like Supercar Blondie and SBX Cars.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to Leading Minds Revealed

00:32 – Introduction & episode setup

01:11 – Meet Jo Knowler: Head of People & Talent

02:10 – Frank the office dog joins the conversation

02:57 – Building teams in the age of AI

03:24 – Why long-term planning is disappearing

05:09 – AI reshaping roles and recruitment

06:09 – No AI experts: test, learn, evolve

07:12 – Rethinking hiring & CVs

08:35 – Gamification and neurodiversity in recruitment

09:18 – Human-centered talent strategies

10:14 – Skills & attributes leaders look for

11:07 – Feedback, adaptability & being thick-skinned

12:22 – Why stubbornness slows growth

14:06 – Rapid change & agility

15:42 – IT and People merging under one leader

16:48 – Founder-led businesses: why Jo thrives

18:09 – Trust, strategy & leadership partnership

19:33 – Where founders get stuck

20:48 – Balancing vision with stability

22:00 – Finding the “adult in the room”

23:21 – Structuring communication

24:19 – Culture, training & growth

25:29 – Transparency from day one

27:04 – Weekly communication rhythms

28:23 – Cross-functional collaboration

29:46 – Clarity & psychological stability

30:34 – Recruiting with honesty

31:35 – Engagement, happiness & retention

32:38 – Listening, empathy & solving problems

33:56 – Coaching & career development

35:17 – Creating learning pathways

37:07 – Rapid innovation & knowledge sharing

39:15 – Turbo Talks & internal learning

41:00 – AI tools, law, and internal education

42:11 – Keeping teams aligned across regions

43:46 – Masterclass in internal learning

45:30 – Leadership lessons from bad managers

47:47 – Showing up consistently as a leader

49:18 – Presence over reactivity

50:52 – Repairing relationships after conflict

51:49 – Support systems & recharge

53:20 – Boundaries, parenting and switching off

55:07 – Book club, community & self-care

57:00 – Intentional wellbeing for leaders

59:39 – How to connect with Jo

01:01:30 – Window-shopping luxury cars

01:02:31 – Closing & next episode preview

01:03:04 – Subscribe for more

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