Leaders with Francine Lacqua

As chief executive of Blackstone, Stephen Schwarzman helped transform modern finance by moving private equity into the mainstream. The company is now the world’s largest alternative asset manager with a portfolio worth $1.3 trillion. On this episode of Leaders, he speaks with Francine Lacqua about spotting economic shifts before they show up in public data, investing early in artificial intelligence and where the world is heading next.

Watch the interview
Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/btv/series/leaders-with-lacqua
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaeHzTS6Pck&t=500s

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala spent her early career fighting corruption, at great personal cost. Today, she leads the World Trade Organization at a time of unprecedented disruption. On this episode of Leaders, she speaks with Francine Lacqua about her work in Nigeria and how it led to her mother's abduction, how the US trade war and geopolitics are putting tremendous strain on global trade and why it’s time to re-imagine globalization.

Watch the interview
Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/btv/series/leaders-with-lacqua
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPSeumz6sgI

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After spending decades advising CEOs and studying leadership, Harvard Business School professor and author Linda Hill has developed a clear view of what makes great leaders—and where many fall short. In this episode of Leaders with Francine Lacqua, Hill explains why today's most successful executives prioritize collaboration over charisma, embrace constructive conflict and create organizations that can adapt to constant change. She also shares how artificial intelligence is reshaping leadership and the skills the next generation of executives will need to thrive.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with Harvard Business School Professor, Linda Hill. Here's a preview of their chat, where Hill talks about how high levels of emotional intelligence can empower those around you to make decisions.

Check out the full interview when it drops on August 17.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amanda Staveley has spent decades connecting Middle East investors with Britain's biggest dealmaking opportunities. On Leaders with Francine Lacqua, the PCP Capital Partners chief executive describes how she started out, the negotiations behind the Manchester City and Newcastle United deals and the historic rescue of Barclays during the financial crisis.

This interview was recorded before Bloomberg and others reported that a consortium that Amanda Staveley leads has agreed to buy a 25% stake in English club West Ham United for £150 million.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-01/amanda-staveley-agrees-west-ham-stake-teeing-up-clash-with-kretinsky

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with PCP Capital Partners Chief Executive Amanda Staveley. Here's a preview of their conversation, where Staveley looks back on the audacious Barclays fundraising deal that established her as one of Britain's best-known dealmakers.

Check out the full interview when it drops on August 3.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s Leaders with Francine Lacqua, she speaks with Honeywell Technologies Chief Executive and Chair Vimal Kapur about his journey from entry-level engineer in India to leading one of the world’s biggest industrial companies. He explains why he chose to split Honeywell into three businesses, how he navigated pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management and why he believes artificial intelligence will reshape work by augmenting people — not replacing them.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with Honeywell Chief Executive Vimal Kapur. Here's a preview of their conversation, where Kapur explains why he made the bold decision to split up one of America's largest industrial companies, how AI and aerospace reshaped Honeywell's strategy, and why he saw an activist investor as an ally rather than an obstacle in transforming the business.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Francine Lacqua speaks with tennis legend Rafael Nadal about the mindset that fueled his extraordinary career. They explore how resilience, unwavering determination and even self-doubt drove him to overcome repeated injuries and become one of tennis's greatest champions. Nadal also opens up about life after retirement, explaining why he still needs goals every day as he builds businesses, grows his academy, and explores what's next beyond the court.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with tennis superstar Rafael Nadal. Here's a preview of their conversation, where he speaks about overcoming career-threatening injuries and why self-doubt has been one of his greatest motivators. Check out the full interview on Monday, July 6.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As he prepares to step down after six years at the helm of BHP, Mike Henry joins Francine Lacqua to discuss the future of mining, the race for critical minerals and leadership lessons that shaped his tenure. Henry explains why copper has become one of the most strategic resources, how artificial intelligence and the energy transition are transforming demand and why BHP walked away from its pursuit of Anglo American.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with outgoing BHP Chief Executive Mike Henry. Here's a preview of their conversation, where Henry reflects on BHP's two unsuccessful bids for Anglo American, the importance of staying disciplined during high-stakes M&A negotiations, and why maintaining a long-term growth strategy matters more than chasing any single deal.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has spent the past six years navigating some of the biggest challenges facing the global economy — from the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine to the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence.

In this episode of Leaders, Francine Lacqua sits down with Georgieva to discuss what it takes to lead an institution representing 191 countries, how the IMF approaches economic crises and why trust is essential when governments are asked to make difficult reforms.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Here's a preview of that conversation where Georgieva reflects on the difficult balance between economic reform and public trust, why protecting the most vulnerable is essential during crises, and how leaders can build a shared sense of sacrifice and responsibility in turbulent times.

Be sure to subscribe to catch the full episode.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rolls-Royce’s turnaround made Tufan Erginbilgiç one of the most closely watched CEOs in Europe. In this episode of Leaders, he tells Francine Lacqua how he used data, discipline and direct communication to change the trajectory of the company — and what other leaders can learn about strategy, culture and long-term growth.

Watch the interview:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe4PRejZgr0PAxeoWOBGj6M7GXhXQmdn6

Check out more Leaders interviews:
http://bloomberg.com/leaderswithlacqua

Read more on management and work:
https://www.bloomberg.com/management-work

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgiç. Here's a preview of that conversation, in which he reflects on the responsibility of restoring one of Britain’s most important industrial brands, arguing that Rolls-Royce’s turnaround shows other UK companies the importance of fixing broken business models, rejecting mediocrity and empowering employees with a clear sense of purpose.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to lead through a near-disaster and turn it into a $14 billion win? In this episode, Blackstone President and Chief Operating Officer Jon Gray shares lessons from the financial crisis, revealing why staying calm, backing the right businesses and building trust can make or break a leader. He also opens up about shaping culture, retaining top talent and leading with humanity—offering a rare inside look at how one of the world’s biggest investment firms navigates uncertainty.

Watch the interview:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe4PRejZgr0PAxeoWOBGj6M7GXhXQmdn6

Read more on management and work:
https://www.bloomberg.com/management-work

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with Jon Gray, president and chief operating officer of Blackstone Group. Here's a preview of that conversation, in which he talks about leading Blackstone's leveraged buyout of Hilton Hotels, which after a difficult road became the most profitable private equity real estate deal ever.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Francine Lacqua sits down with Emma Grede—the power behind Good American and a founding partner of Skims—to unpack what it really takes to build a billion-dollar brand. Grede goes beyond the headlines, revealing the chaos behind her $1 million launch day and the mindset that helped her push through challenges. From "radical honesty" in leadership to bold views on work, ambition and success, she reveals the principles that have shaped her rise—and why she’s now stepping into the spotlight to help others do the same.

Check out more interviews:
http://bloomberg.com/leaderswithlacqua

Read more on management and work:
https://www.bloomberg.com/management-work

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In next week's episode, host Francine Lacqua speaks with Emma Grede, chief executive and co-founder of Good American and founding partner of loungewear and shapewear brand Skims. Here's a preview of that conversation where she shares the realities behind early success, why hiring adaptable, flexible thinkers matters more than rigid experience, and how the people you need evolve as a company grows.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.