The Impact Multiplier CEO · 2025-06-12 · 42 min
What if your biggest leadership challenge wasn’t strategy, but self-doubt? In this episode, Richard Medcalf speaks with Mike Ettling, who recently stepped down as CEO of Unit4 after a transformative six-year tenure. Mike led the company through a complete business model overhaul - from a fragmented, on-premise software provider to a unified, cloud-first organisation. Along the way, he navigated culture shifts, private equity pressures, and the internal doubts that come with playing at the highest level. Now in his new role as a chairman and mentor to CEOs, Mike reflects on what it really takes to lead and multiply impact. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why hiring for hardship and failure stories beats CV credentials How to manage self-doubt when you're surrounded by brilliant people What really breaks a transformation (hint: it's not your product) The overlooked power of cadence, culture, and purpose in a private equity environment Why moving from CEO to chairman demands a radical shift in how you add value A must-listen for any leader navigating complexity - or preparing to let go and lead in a new way.
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