Hilton Supra, Vice Chairman of Ztudium Group, interviews Laura Freebairn-Smith, a specialist in organisational development and leadership, in the latest episode of citiesabc YouTube podcast. The author of “Abundance Leaders: Creating Energy, Joy, and Productivity in an Unsettled World” speaks about leadership with an abundance mindset, as individuals, in organisations, and businesses. The podcast is live on citiesabc and openbusinesscouncil YouTube channels.

The abundance leadership mindset is a transformative approach to leadership that centers on the belief that there are ample opportunities and resources available to create success for oneself and others. Expert, Laura Freebairn-Smith, in her book, “Abundance Leaders: Creating Energy, Joy, and Productivity in an Unsettled World”, explains that leaders with this mindset focus on collaboration, empowerment, and the idea that the pie can grow bigger for everyone, rather than a zero-sum competition.

During the citiesabc interview with Hilton, she told that leaders inspire their teams to think creatively, embrace change, and foster a culture of innovation. This mindset encourages leaders to share knowledge, mentor others, and genuinely celebrate the achievements of their team members, creating a positive and thriving environment where everyone can flourish.

“An abundance leader thinks about how to manifest compassion, care, awareness of the impact within what is possible and what is appropriate, and not in one extreme direction”, she said.

She also emphasised that an abundance leader can decrease hierarchical barriers using their management and leadership skills. Their mindset of abundance, she explained, fosters a culture of inclusivity and empowerment, where every individual's input and potential are valued.

By encouraging open communication, collaboration, and idea-sharing, abundant leaders create an environment where hierarchies matter less, and innovative thinking matters more. They promote a sense of ownership and responsibility among team members, allowing for more fluid and flexible organizational structures.

Laura Freebairn-Smith: Shaping organizational culture

Laura Freebairn-Smith is a Partner and co-founder of OPG (Organizational Performance Group), specialising in organisational development and leadership. With a rich background in consulting for businesses like the New York Times, Lemann Foundation, and ESPN, she brings extensive experience in shaping organizational culture, teaching, conducting research, and strategic consulting.

Before co-founding OPG, Laura served as the Director of Yale's Organizational Development and Learning Center, a role she played in its creation. She has also held teaching roles at institutions like the University of New Haven, Georgetown, and Central CT State University.

Laura has held key positions in various organizations, including Managing Director for the Gesell Institute of Human Development, Chief Operating Officer for Jobs for the Future, and Education Coordinator for the International Rescue Committee on the Thai/Cambodian border.

Laura holds degrees from UC Berkeley, Yale School of Management, and Saybrook Institute. Her academic background is complemented by practical experience and a track record of published articles and chapters in the field of organizational development.

To know more about Laura, visit https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/wiki/laura-freebairn-smith

About Hilton Supra

Hilton Supra is a business and financial industry veteran and thought leader. Hilton has more than 30 years of Finance, Investment, Banking, and Asset Management experience in international markets namely London, Europe, Africa, and Asia. This while having a passion for growing businesses, fashion, and new technologies, especially fintech and blockchain where he has been deeply involved since these technologies' inception. Now, Hilton is co-leading the fashion directory fashionabc as well as technology startup Ztudium, a builder of 4IR platforms (using blockchain, AI and IoT data analytics).

From Quantitative Asset Management, Capital Markets, Trading software, Hedge Funds, and Private Equity, Hilton has worked for Morgan Grenfell, Deutsche Bank, AXA Investment Management, EIM Fund of Hedge Funds (responsible for $2.4bn of $13bn), and Cheyne Capital.

Hilton is a graduate in Engineering from Oxford Brookes University and a Master's in Finance at London Business School. Hilton has always been on the leading edge of innovation and technology in banking, derivative trading, quantitative asset management, hedge funds, and since 2015 the application of FinTech, AI, and blockchain to enterprise solutions.

Hilton Supra is a partner and board member at ztudium, and the co-founder and one of the leading personalities driving techabc, openbusinesscouncil.org and fashionabc.org platforms.

Learn more about Hilton Supra on https://openbusinesscouncil.org/wiki/hilton-supra

Links & Resources

https://organizationalperformancegroup.com/who-we-are/laura-freebairn-smith/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurafreebairnsmith/

https://ceoworld.biz/author/laura-freebairn-smith/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Laura%20Freebairn-Smith/author/B0BVRTJXHK

https://www.tlnt.com/authors/laura-freebairn-smith

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/dap.31187

https://www.bol.com/be/nl/f/abundance-leaders/9300000135095130/

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Pallavi Singal

With a driving passion to create a relatable content, Pallavi progressed from writing as a freelancer to full-time professional. Science, innovation, technology, economics are very few (but not limiting) fields she zealous about. Reading, writing, and teaching are the other activities she loves to get involved beyond content writing for intelligenthq.com, citiesabc.com, and openbusinesscouncil.org