Praveena Raman, the head of Motorola in Australia and New Zealand, is a self-described yes person. 

At the start of her career as an engineer, the “say yes to everything” mindset opened doors to pivotal opportunities that would set her on the path to becoming an executive.

But a crucial piece of advice also made the smartphone boss realise the importance of saying no.

On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the country head of the eighth-largest smartphone manufacturer globally to find out why she decided to shift her mindset.

Praveena Raman, the head of Motorola in Australia and New Zealand, is a self-described yes person.&nbsp;
At the start of her career as an engineer, the &ldquo;say yes to everything&rdquo; mindset opened doors to pivotal opportunities that would set her on the path to becoming an executive.
But a crucial piece of advice also made the smartphone boss realise the importance of saying no.
On this week&rsquo;s episode, <a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten sits down with the country head of the eighth-largest smartphone manufacturer globally to find out why she decided to shift her mindset.

15 Minutes with the Boss is a podcast that gives listeners exclusive access to some of the top CEOs in the country.

Each week AFR BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with a prominent leader and asks them to share the invaluable advice and wisdom they have accumulated throughout their careers.

For stories of success and failure and everything in-between, search and follow 15 Minutes with the Boss. It’s 15 minutes you can’t afford to miss. 

15 Minutes with the Boss is a podcast that gives listeners exclusive access to some of the top CEOs in the country.
Each week AFR BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with a prominent leader and asks them to share the invaluable advice and wisdom they have accumulated throughout their careers.
For stories of success and failure and everything in-between, search and follow 15 Minutes with the Boss. It’s 15 minutes you can’t afford to miss.

A weekly podcast about  success and failure and everything in-between.

15 Minutes with the Boss

All the latest episodes from all of the AFR's podcasts. 

All the latest episodes from all of the AFR's podcasts.&nbsp;

Latest episodes 

15 Minutes with the Boss is a podcast that gives listeners exclusive access to some of the top CEOs in the country. 

Each week, AFR BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with a prominent leader and asks them to share the invaluable advice and wisdom they have accumulated throughout their careers.

For stories of success and failure and everything in-between, search and follow 15 Minutes with the Boss. It’s 15 minutes you can’t afford to miss. 

15 Minutes with the Boss is a podcast that gives listeners exclusive access to some of the top CEOs in the country. 
Each week, AFR BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with a prominent leader and asks them to share the invaluable advice and wisdom they have accumulated throughout their careers.
For stories of success and failure and everything in-between, search and follow 15 Minutes with the Boss. It’s 15 minutes you can’t afford to miss.

Why this smartphone boss called time on saying yes to everything

Procter & Gamble’s Australian chief executive, Neal Reed, has been with the global manufacturer for 30 years.

The company behind household brands such as Pampers nappies, Gillette razors and Pantene and Head & Shoulders shampoos has long been committed to finding and developing top talent.

But as the CEO has discovered, the strategy presents a temptation to push high performers too hard. 

On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out how this P&G boss learnt he was overburdening senior leaders.

Further reading:

Why this CEO gets his advice from the 20-somethings in the office

As Gen Z swells to a third of the workforce, P&G’s Australia-New Zealand CEO Neal Reed says reverse mentorship keeps him connected, skilled up and relevant.

‘I didn’t realise how far gone I was’: How this CEO survived burnout

Jess Saxby, chief executive of Banjo’s Bakery Cafes, couldn’t stop. She was always chasing the next thing. Until she couldn’t any more.

‘Do you have five?’: This CEO’s trick for managing staff requests

Stefan Leitl, vice president for Australia and New Zealand at Cisco, has to juggle family with fitting into the working hours of the US. Here’s how he does it.

Procter &amp; Gamble&rsquo;s Australian chief executive, Neal Reed, has been with the global manufacturer for 30 years.
The company behind household brands such as Pampers nappies, Gillette razors and Pantene and Head &amp; Shoulders shampoos has long been committed to finding and developing top talent.
But as the CEO has discovered, the strategy presents a temptation to push high performers too hard.&nbsp;
On this week&rsquo;s episode,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten finds out how this P&amp;G boss learnt he was overburdening senior leaders.
Further reading:
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/why-this-ceo-gets-his-20-something-grads-to-mentor-him-20260312-p5o9qn?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">Why this CEO gets his advice from the 20-somethings in the office</a>
As Gen Z swells to a third of the workforce, P&amp;G&rsquo;s Australia-New Zealand CEO Neal Reed says reverse mentorship keeps him connected, skilled up and relevant.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/how-this-ceo-survived-burnout-20260326-p5zitx?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">&lsquo;I didn&rsquo;t realise how far gone I was&rsquo;: How this CEO survived burnout</a>
Jess Saxby, chief executive of Banjo&rsquo;s Bakery Cafes, couldn&rsquo;t stop. She was always chasing the next thing. Until she couldn&rsquo;t any more.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders/how-this-ceo-prepares-for-his-2am-work-calls-20260513-p5zwg0?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=15_minutes_with_the_boss&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">&lsquo;Do you have five?&rsquo;: This CEO&rsquo;s trick for managing staff requests</a>
Stefan Leitl, vice president for Australia and New Zealand at Cisco, has to juggle family with fitting into the working hours of the US. Here&rsquo;s how he does it.

How this CEO changed his leadership style for the sake of top performers

He’s one of Australia’s most influential chefs and restaurateurs.

But when Neil Perry was faced with the closure of his restaurant, Song Bird, he realised he’d broken his most important rule.

“You've always got to be prepared to walk away," Perry says.

On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out what went wrong with the Double Bay restaurant, and what he’s learnt as the culinary giant prepares to open Pizzeria Spotto.

He&rsquo;s one of Australia&rsquo;s most influential chefs and restaurateurs.
But when Neil Perry was faced with the closure of his restaurant, Song Bird, he realised he&rsquo;d broken his most important rule.
&ldquo;You've always got to be prepared to walk away," Perry says.
On this week&rsquo;s episode, <a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten finds out what went wrong with the Double Bay restaurant, and what he&rsquo;s learnt as the culinary giant prepares to open Pizzeria Spotto.

Neil Perry opens up about the high cost of overspending

One of Anubha Sahasrabuddhe’s proudest moments was getting Chinese consumers to drink Coca-Cola – and lots of it.

Earlier in her career, Sahasrabuddhe, now the chief executive of brewing giant Lion, was asked to go to China in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics and take on the competition, Pepsi.

Sahasrabuddhe’s stint was a success, but there were also failures. The experience led the chief executive to adopt a strategy she says the tech industry has mastered.

On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the boss of Australia’s second biggest brewing company to find out how past mistakes have shaped future wins.

One of Anubha Sahasrabuddhe&rsquo;s proudest moments was getting Chinese consumers to drink Coca-Cola &ndash; and lots of it.
Earlier in her career, Sahasrabuddhe, now the chief executive of brewing giant Lion, was asked to go to China in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics and take on the competition, Pepsi.
Sahasrabuddhe&rsquo;s stint was a success, but there were also failures. The experience led the chief executive to adopt a strategy she says the tech industry has mastered.
On this week&rsquo;s episode, <a href="https://www.afr.com/boss">BOSS</a> editor Sally Patten sits down with the boss of Australia&rsquo;s second biggest brewing company to find out how past mistakes have shaped future wins.

Why this smartphone boss called time on saying yes to everything

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