How do you lead when you’ve never quite fit the mold?In this episode, I sit down with Francesca Lagerberg, CEO of Baker Tilly International, for a brilliant, funny, and deeply honest conversation about identity, leadership, and rewriting your own script.From being the fourth child in a bustling household with “no defined role,” to leading a top 10 global accounting firm, Francesca shares the unexpected path that took her from aspiring writer, to creative tax speaker, to international CEO.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why early family dynamics shape our sense of belonging - and leadership.How working parents (and leaders) survive the “UPS marriage” years.What real flexibility looks like - and why it matters more than ever.Why remote working builds trust - and better teams.How the profession must evolve with AI, new generations, and bold curiosity.Francesca’s story is a leadership masterclass rooted in resilience, reinvention, and refusing to be boxed in.🎧 Watch and listen now to reflect on the messy, meaningful truth behind real leadership.👉 If this conversation resonated, like the video, comment with your biggest takeaway, and subscribe for more honest stories from leaders doing it their way.Connect with Francesca Lagerberg: 🔗Check Francesca’s company website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/baker-tilly-international/Connect with Francesca Lagerberg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescalagerberg/Write to Francesca Lagerberg: [email protected] with me here:🎬YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewtallents 📲 X: https://x.com/andrewtallents📲 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewtallents🌐 Website: https://www.tallents-partnership.com/📖 Get my book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NZRZH4J📰 Weekly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/selfcoaching-newsletter📞 Write me: [email protected] Moments:00:02:00 – Growing up as the 4th child with “no defined role”00:04:00 – The power of school and early role models00:06:00 – From dreaming of writing to falling into accounting00:07:00 – The freedom of travel and the shock of corporate life00:09:00 – Leaving Big Four for publishing and creative work00:13:00 – Balancing career and parenting through chaos00:16:30 – Building an “accidental brand” through public speaking00:18:30 – Learning to lead through coaching, curiosity & listening00:22:00 – When high performance becomes unsustainable00:24:30 – Championing remote work & flexibility for the long-term00:29:00 – Bridging generational gaps and embracing AI00:33:30 – The dream: writing, travel & a life of continuous learning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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