Carlyle Group CEO: You may not like change, but you're going to like obsolescence even less

Adopt Kewsong Lee’s motto – think bigger, move faster, perform better – and you’ll be primed for success in whatever leadership position you’re in. But how this CEO of private equity firm Carlyle Group puts that motto into motion is what’s made Kew one of the world’s savviest business leaders. In this episode, we’ll talk with him about embracing change, essential traits of successful leaders, and why having an authentic ESG mindset is not just good for the world but also good for business. Kew’s 30-plus-year career is rife with successes, but his mistakes and failures taught him the most. We’ll talk about it all, as well as the transformation of the private equity industry—and how to be on the forefront of that change.   If you like this episode, you might also enjoy these other Redefiner conversations:         From Corruption to Transformation: The Rebirth of a Global Conglomerate with Joe Kaeser How to Lead Like a Legend with Samuel Tsien Leadership  Reimagined: Transformation Tips from Jim Hagemann Snabe   BIO:Kewsong Lee - Chief Executive Officer of Carlyle  Kewsong Lee is the Chief Executive Officer of Carlyle and was elected to the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2018. Mr. Lee joined Carlyle in 2013 as Deputy Chief Investment Officer for Corporate Private Equity and in 2016 he assumed the additional role of leading the Global Credit segment.   Prior to joining Carlyle, Mr. Lee was a partner and a member of the Executive Management Group at Warburg Pincus, where he spent 21 years. He is currently the President of Lincoln Center Theater, Chairman of the US Chamber of Commerce China Center Advisory Board, and Vice Chair for the Partnership for New York City. He also is a member of the Business Roundtable, serves on the board of the US China Business Council and FCLT Global, and is a Trustee of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.   Mr. Lee earned his AB in applied mathematics in economics at Harvard College and his MBA from Harvard Business School. 

Om Podcasten

Call them changemakers. Call them rule breakers. We call them Redefiners. And in this provocative podcast, we explore how daring leaders from across industries and around the globe are redefining their organizations—and themselves—to create extraordinary impact in today’s rapidly changing world.In each episode, Russell Reynolds Associates Leadership Advisor Hoda Tahoun and former CEO Clarke Murphy host engaging, purposeful conversations with leaders in and out of the business world who share their insights and perspectives on how they lead, boldly. You’ll come away with fresh ideas and tangible takeaways on how you can redefine your own leadership trajectory – no matter where you are on your journey.   Our Hosts:Clarke Murphy Clarke Murphy is the former Chief Executive Officer of Russell Reynolds Associates and serves on the Board of Directors. Prior to his appointment as CEO, he was the Global Leader of the firm's CEO/Board Services Practice.​While at Russell Reynolds Associate​s, Clarke has conducted a number of significant projects in the industry, including Fortune 100 board searches and CEO successions. In addition, he has led notable searches in​​ the private equity industry including searches ​for the Carlyle Group and Warburg Pincus.Hoda TahounAs a leadership advisor and leader of the global Leisure & Hospitality Practice at RRA, Hoda Tahoun identifies, assesses, and develops dynamic C-suite leaders for global hospitality, travel, and leisure companies. Based in Miami, Hoda helps clients solve their most pressing leadership issues at the CEO, C-suite, and other executive-levels. She also advises clients on customer-centric, go-to-market leadership roles such as chief marketing officers and chief experience officers. Hoda is committed to reshaping the hospitality and leisure landscape to ensure it is an industry that leads with purpose, value, and wellbeing and continues to attract and retain talent across all facets of diversity.Hoda spent more than seven years working for a boutique executive search firm, rising to the title of principal where she worked closely with hotel management companies, cruise lines and private equity firms. Previously, Hoda was an assistant vice president at SHUAA Capital in Dubai where she led the firm’s investment banking efforts. She has also worked at American Express, Bank of America and Citi.