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FRONTLINE FRIDAYS with Ron ThurstonAuthor: FRONTLINE FRIDAYS Podcast
Your store teams feel it: more pressure, more change, less time to get it right. FRONTLINE FRIDAYS helps you turn that pressure into impact. Built for senior retail hospitality field leaders, each episode features candid conversations with execs and disruptors from the worlds most iconic brands sharing honest lessons and clear tactics you can start using immediately. Hosted by Ron Thurston, retail leadership expert and two-time bestselling author of RETAIL PRIDE (2020) and HUMAN PRIDE (2025). Season 2 starts September 26, 2025. New episodes every other Friday. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Calm Under Pressure: The Leadership Skill Retail Needs Most
Friday, 24 April, 2026
FRONTLINE FRIDAYS S2 Ep.16: Calm Under Pressure: The Leadership Skill Retail Needs MostPressure isn’t the problem. How leaders respond to it is.In this episode of Frontline Fridays, Ron Thurston sits down with Lesley Hawkins, former Head of Retail at adidas Canada and leadership advisor.Lesley stepped into retail leadership during one of the most challenging moments in modern retail — leading 1,200 associates across 32 stores as teams faced burnout, constant change, and growing disconnection from head office.Instead of pushing harder, she chose a different path: slow down, listen, and rebuild trust from the frontline.By asking three simple questions in every store, Lesley uncovered what teams really needed — and used those insights to reset culture, re-engage teams, and shape a more resilient retail organization.Now, she helps leaders across industries navigate pressure, lead through change, and build teams that can perform without burning out.In this conversation, she shares:how to lead calmly when everything feels urgentthe three questions every retail leader should be askingwhy listening is the fastest way to rebuild trusthow small acts of initiative create powerful cultural shiftswhy “raising your hand” is the key to growth and innovationHer message is clear: pressure is constant — but calm, intentional leadership is what drives performance.🎧 Linktree:https://linktr.ee/frontlinefridays👤 Lesley Hawkins:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-hawkins/👤 Ron Thurston:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronthurston/💡 YOOBIC:https://yoobic.com | https://www.linkedin.com/company/yoobic/
