8 Words or Less
Do you have an ever-growing list of leadership and management books to read - but can't find the time? Every episode, Samie and James share their perspectives on a different book and distil some key themes into a central message of 8 words or less.
Episodes
25 episodes
Bonus Episode - Discussing the Power of Myth with Céline Cousteau
It is a privilege to be joined by Céline Cousteau for the season finale to discuss the book The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell. As a filmmaker, author and environmentalist, Céline is in a unique position to understand and appreciate the power...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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22:38
The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell
In this episode, we discuss the book The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell and take on the challenge to try and distil it into a central message of #8wordsorless. The book is vast in scope, covering the themes and symbols of ancient narratives a...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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22:56
Bonus Episode - Discussing Principles with Becks Beere
For this week’s bonus episode, we are joined by Becks Beere - the founder and CEO of Avec UK, a market-leading strategic brand and product partner for global retailers.Becks recommended 'Principles' by Ray Dalio and shares the many ways...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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22:13
Principles by Ray Dalio
In this episode, we discuss Ray Dalio’s book Principles. Dalio is one of the most successful entrepreneurs and investors in the world, and in this book he distils the, somewhat unconventional, principles that have underpinned his s...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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21:41
Bonus Episode - Discussing #Time4Humanity with Amna Al Owais
In this bonus episode we are joined by Amna Al Owais, chief executive and registrar of the DIFC Courts, to talk about the key themes and messages from Samie's book #Time4Humanity.We discuss why Amna has placed values and culture at the ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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19:55
#Time4Humanity by Samie Al Achrafi
In this episode we discuss the book #Time4Humanity by Samie Al-Achrafi. In a wide ranging discussion that matches the breadth of the book, we discuss the implications of advancing technology in all elements of our lives, and whethe...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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24:48
Bonus Episode - Discussing 'How Will You Measure Your Life' with Rob Gardner
In this episode we are joined by Rob Gardner, investment director for St. James's Place Wealth Management, co-founder of Redington, author and thought-leader on financial education and inclusion.Rob shares his experiences from founding a...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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22:21
How Will You Measure Your Life by Clayton Christensen
In this episode, we explore the powerful and wide ranging book by Clayton Christensen that offers a series of guidelines for helping the reader find meaning and happiness in life.The book hits home in many ways and manages to deliver a ...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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19:18
Bonus Episode - Discussing 'Discover Your True North' with Bill George
In this bonus episode, we are joined by Harvard Business School professor, former Medtronic CEO, and bestselling author Bill George.Bill shares anecdotes from his leadership journey, as well as reflecting on the interviews and stories fr...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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23:37
Discover Your True North by Bill George
Authentic leadership has never been more critical than now. In his excellent book Discover Your True North, Bill George outlines how, by following our internal compass, and staying focused on our True North, we can chart a course to being truly...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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18:30
Bonus Episode - Discussing Simon Sinek's 'The Infinite Game' with John Flint
In this bonus episode we are joined by John Flint who shares with us his insights on Simon Sinek’s book ‘The Infinite Game’. The economic dislocations caused by this crisis are forcing leaders at all levels to make quick decisions, often with i...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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21:32
The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
In the first episode of our new season, we discuss Simon Sinek’s latest book ‘The Infinite Game’. This is a book that is very relevant for the time that we are currently living through and one that provides a new way of thinking about how we ch...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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24:43
Bonus Episode on Finding Your Powerful Idea - Tips and Insights from Samie
In this short bonus episode Samie talks about the importance of having a 'central message’ of 8 words or less for effective communication and what is a 'petal'.Samie discovered the art and science of how to communicate a powerful idea w...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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7:54
Bonus Episode: Discussing Getting to Yes with Professor Niro Sivanathan
In this bonus episode we are fortunate to have with us Professor Niro Sivanathan who has joined us to answer some questions from listeners following our episode on 'Getting to Yes' by Roger Fisher and William Ury.Professor Sivanathan is...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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20:07
Uncommon Sense, Common Nonsense by Jules Goddard and Tony Eccles
This book puts forward the notion that the application of uncommon sense - thinking or acting differently from other organisations in a way that makes unusual sense - is the secret to competitive success. Written shortly after the 2008 financia...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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20:36
Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed
Mathew Syed’s latest book, Rebel Ideas, brilliantly encapsulates why cognitive diversity is fundamental to team success. Mathew combines insightful research with wonderful anecdotes - ranging from Bletchley Park, to Mt Everest, nutritional scie...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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23:03
The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work by Alain de Botton
In this book Alain de Botton explores the joys and perils of the modern workplace, illustrating through 10, self-contained, case-studies what other people get up to all day – and night – to make the frenzied contemporary world function. Ultimat...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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22:04
Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher and William Ury
"Negotiation is a fact of life" and in their classic book ‘Getting to Yes’ the authors Roger Fisher and William L. Ury suggest that, despite its importance, many of us are still not that good at it!In this episode James and Samie talk ab...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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24:42
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
Cialdini opens his best-selling book on Influence with the words 'I can admit it freely now. All my life I've been a patsy.' These are words that resonated for both James and Samie and, throughout this book, there are 'lightbulb moments' which ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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24:36
The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb
Are we currently living through a black swan event? Taleb, in recent articles, argues this is actually a 'white swan' event but either way it is an interesting time for James and Samie to talk about Nassim Taleb's groundbreaking book (described...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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19:52
Great by Choice by Jim Collins and Morten T. Hansen
In this episode Samie tells us his central message from 'Great by Choice' written by the bestselling author Jim Collins.Samie reflects on how it is important sometimes to 'go slow to go fast' and shares some insights around the need for dis...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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21:06
The Day After Tomorrow by Peter Hinssen
In this episode Samie and James talk about Peter Hinssen's book - The Day After Tomorrow. It is a title that probably resonates with a lot of us as we look through the challenging times to hopefully a more positive 'day after tomorrow'.
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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21:45
Who Do We Choose to Be by Margaret J. Wheatley
In this episode Samie and James talk about Margaret Wheatley's book - Who Do We Choose to Be? The themes running through the book - Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity - are very relevant for the challenges we see around us wi...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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19:16
Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed
In this episode Samie and James talk about Matthew Syed's excellent book - Black Box Thinking. In this book Mathew compares the approach to failure in the airline industry with that of the healthcare industry and, through the use of well resear...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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18:27
Introducing 8 Words or Less
8 words or less is a new series where, on each episode, James and Samie select a leadership or management book that has inspired them and, drawing on their own experience and insights, distil some key themes from the book into a central message...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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1:15