In this short solo episode, I unpack practical lessons from a July 2025 executive webinar I co‑hosted with Cosmoprof Asia on “Beyond China: Unlocking Asia Pacific’s True Beauty Potential.” Drawing on insights from leaders across analytics, retail, and brand strategy, I break down three critical dimensions of APAC growth today: treating China as a deliberate strategic choice (not an assumption), building real localization capabilities across Southeast Asia, India, and other key markets, and designing resilient, multi‑year investment strategies that align headquarters expectations with on‑the‑ground reality. I focus on what this means for brand leaders and APAC executives making hard calls about where to double down, how to localise, and what kind of leadership and teams it actually takes to win in the region’s most competitive markets. If you are shaping APAC strategy, leading a regional business, or managing your own next leadership move in this region, this episode will give you clear lenses, concrete questions, and a more realistic roadmap for choosing where — and how — you can truly win. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter (https://lyc-partners.us22.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a6ba34d5d9e108df4fae223c8&id=a0961ca045)to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners (http://www.lyc-partners.ai/contact-us) to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (https://www.bonjourpodcast.com/) (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"Trust happens when expertise meets warmth." Ipsos leader Javier Calvar on why curiosity, determination, and empathy build careers that last—and why impact beats activity every time. From London to Shanghai during the WTO boom, then back to London, and now leading in Hong Kong, Javier breaks down 30 years of staying with companies long enough to compound results. He reveals the framework that's guided every move: serve clients first, grow teams second, let revenue follow. We explore the mistakes that taught him most—like the taxi ride moment when he forgot to celebrate a win—and why timing, visibility, and building equity matter more than politics when senior roles open up. Javier also gets real about leading through VUCA markets, reinventing relevance post-COVID, and why Asia's agility gives it an edge the West struggles to match. In this episode: The three traits that compound careers: curiosity, determination, empathy Why impact beats activity: clients, teams, then revenue follows naturally The trust equation: credibility + warmth = the foundation for leading teams Timing and visibility for promotions without playing politics The taxi story: why you must celebrate wins before coaching for improvement Shanghai 2002: riding the WTO boom and the opportunities fast growth creates VUCA reality: leading through uncertainty, reinvention, and market shifts in Hong Kong Why Asia adapts faster: agility as cultural DNA vs. Western pace Greater Bay Area opportunities and staying relevant when markets transform AI's double-edge: efficiency vs. enhancement, and why human intelligence still wins If you lead teams across cultures, want to build a career that compounds, or need to navigate uncertainty without losing your center, this one's for you. Follow the show and leave a rating to help more leaders find it. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter (https://lyc-partners.us22.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a6ba34d5d9e108df4fae223c8&id=a0961ca045)to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners (http://www.lyc-partners.ai/contact-us) to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (https://www.bonjourpodcast.com/) (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"You've got to take control of that journey yourself." Former Nielsen APAC President Justin Sargent on why cultural intelligence, career ownership, and human leadership matter more than ever. A snap decision in a traffic jam became a 25-year journey across six countries. Justin breaks down what he learned leading teams from Sydney to Shanghai, bridging HQ and local markets, and turning relationships, adaptability, and intentional career moves into sustainable performance. We cover the shift from waiting for direction to owning your development, reading cultural cues that others miss, and why vulnerability and openness unlock trust faster than authority ever will. In this episode: The motorway moment: how one decision launched an international career India's "say-do ratio" and the art of bridging global HQ with local brilliance China's "meeting outside the meeting" and what leaders miss when they don't adapt Why cultural intelligence is the difference between short-term compliance and long-term results Career ownership: filling your own gaps instead of waiting to be developed Leading virtual global teams and getting people excited when you don't manage them directly Why change and transformation demand cultural intelligence more than the status quo Justin Sargent, Founder, Justin Sargent Advisory | Author, Beyond Borders, Beyond Belief (https://justinsargent.me/) If you lead across cultures, manage global teams, or want to own your leadership trajectory, this one's for you. Follow the show and leave a rating to help more leaders find it. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter (https://lyc-partners.us22.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a6ba34d5d9e108df4fae223c8&id=a0961ca045)to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners (http://www.lyc-partners.ai/contact-us) to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (https://www.bonjourpodcast.com/) (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this solo episode of Leaders in Motion, Kevin Hong breaks down the core framework from the first Global Executive Advantage workshop, featuring insights from three experts: Barry (career insurance), Mélanie (executive branding), and Lei (strategic networking). The result is a practical model for building career resilience in volatile markets. Kevin explores the three pillars of resilience: Career Insurance: A disciplined approach to assessing your assets, preparing scenario plans, and reducing concentration risk so you can act in weeks - not months - when conditions shift. Professional Branding: How to communicate expertise, leadership posture, and values with consistency and intention, so opportunities find you across industries and borders. Strategic Networking: Moving from passive contact collection to proactive, reciprocal relationships that expand influence and create opportunity long before you need it. Kevin closes the episode with a one-hour actionable playbook to strengthen your career resilience immediately. If you're a global executive navigating uncertainty and want a clear path to stay relevant, visible, and adaptable, this episode gives you a framework you can apply today. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter (https://lyc-partners.us22.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a6ba34d5d9e108df4fae223c8&id=a0961ca045)to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners (http://www.lyc-partners.ai/contact-us) to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (https://www.bonjourpodcast.com/) (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

“Life is a matter of people.” Autoliv CTO Fabien Dumont on building sustainable performance across cultures, crises, and decades. From quality manager in France to global CTO via a transformational China tour, Fabien breaks down how relationships, execution, and long‑horizon bets compound. We cover the shift from short wins to durable results, aligning with HQ without losing local relevance, and the decisions that only pay off years later. In this episode: Turning China’s speed into global advantage “Feed, feed, feed” HQ: cadence, transparency, and trust Saying no, focus, and the career math behind tough calls How to reverse knowledge transfer and scale best practices worldwide Building teams that outlast market cycles Fabien Dumont, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Autoliv If you lead across regions or report to a global HQ, this one’s for you. Follow the show and leave a rating to help more leaders find it. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter (https://lyc-partners.us22.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a6ba34d5d9e108df4fae223c8&id=a0961ca045)to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners (http://www.lyc-partners.ai/contact-us) to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (https://www.bonjourpodcast.com/) (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this short solo episode, I share key insights from a conversation I led with three senior APAC executives: Andy Wälti (former Head of China & APAC at Clariant), Howard Li (President of LPKF China), and Justin Sargeant (former APAC President at NielsenIQ). Their experiences highlight three core pillars of effective APAC leadership: managing global HQ expectations, developing cultural agility, and building real global visibility across multinational organisations. I focus on the signals that matter most today for APAC leaders aiming for stronger global influence, cross-border impact, and readiness for international executive roles. If these themes resonate with your own leadership journey, this episode will give you the clarity and direction you need to move forward. --- 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter (https://lyc-partners.us22.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a6ba34d5d9e108df4fae223c8&id=a0961ca045)to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners (http://www.lyc-partners.ai/contact-us) to set up a consultation. -- Produced by Bonjour Podcast (https://www.bonjourpodcast.com/) (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

“China owns the supply chain - from a toaster to a rocket engine.” Greg Au Yeung, Managing Director and Head of China at Ingenico, joins Leaders in Motion to unpack how to lead through transformation in the world’s fastest payments market. From Hong Kong developer to global executive, Greg breaks down how to switch sectors, manage HQ alignment, and lead with clarity amid geopolitics and AI disruption. We cover why mobility is the ultimate executive edge - across cities, sectors, and skills - and how to build teams that stay relevant in a volatile decade. In this episode: Why China became both the lab and factory for payments innovation Managing HQ risk appetite, compliance, and “bias vs. education” Building R&D hubs that survive policy swings and market shocks Mobility as a moat: city, sector, and skill resets across decades AI’s double edge for leaders, teams, and the next decade of finance 🎧 Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. Subscribe to our newsletter (https://lyc-partners.us22.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a6ba34d5d9e108df4fae223c8&id=a0961ca045)to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. If the topics discussed resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization - assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners (http://www.lyc-partners.ai/contact-us) to set up a consultation. Produced by Bonjour Podcast (https://www.bonjourpodcast.com/) (Melanie Hong), Leaders in Motion blends storytelling, strategy, and data-driven insight, giving today’s leaders a roadmap to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges and lead with intention. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Welcome to Leaders in Motion, the podcast where global executives explore how to lead, adapt, and thrive in the age of transformation. Hosted by Kevin Hong, Partner at LYC Partners and Co-founder of The Council, this show dives into how leaders navigate disruption, build resilient careers, and balance global strategy with local execution. In each episode, Kevin sits down with senior executives across industries to uncover real stories of career reinvention, cross-cultural leadership, and AI-driven transformation. You’ll also hear leadership insights distilling frameworks from leadership webinars and expert panels actionable tools for today’s C-suite and tomorrow’s emerging leaders. If you’re a global executive or an ambitious leader seeking clarity and strategy for your next move, this show is for you. ---------- 🎧 Follow the show now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your executive inspiration and learn how global leaders think ahead, move faster, and lead smarter. 📧 Subscribe to our newsletter (https://lyc-partners.us22.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a6ba34d5d9e108df4fae223c8&id=a0961ca045) to get access to exclusive insights and all the details about the Leaders in Motion Academy, our executive program. ✍️ If the topics resonate with your own leadership challenges or the conversations happening in your organization—assessing international leaders, aligning global and local teams, building capabilities across regions. You can reach us at LYC Partners (http://www.lyc-partners.ai/contact-us) to set up a consultation. ---------- Leaders in Motion is a podcast by LYC Partners, produced by Mélanie Hong, creator and producer of strategic podcasts for leaders and organizations shaping the future. Music credits : Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.