Why Unlearning Cultural Norms Is Essential for Thriving in Global Leadership with Ani Filipova

Welcome to the UNLEARN Podcast! Today, we’re joined by an inspiring leader in global banking and transformation, Ani Filipova. With over two decades of experience, Ani has made her mark as a former international banking executive, setting up and managing three banks, including Citibank Bulgaria. She also led the transformation of a $2 billion business across 16 countries as Regional COO for Citibank Treasury and Trade Solutions in Asia.

Ani’s path to success was anything but conventional. Fueled by a passion for travel, she overcame rejections and seized every opportunity to explore the world and build a remarkable career. Now, Ani is reshaping her journey through a “portfolio career,” as the Founder & CEO of Change Advisory, drawing from her wealth of experience to inspire others with insights on leadership, transformation, and reinvention. 

Key Takeaways:

• Exploring Beyond Boundaries: Ani’s journey of growing up behind the Iron Curtain, finding creative ways to explore the world despite restrictions.
• Speaking Up and Taking Risks: Strategies Ani used to conquer anxiety, master the art of speaking up, and embrace bold decisions in high-stakes situations.
• Global Team Collaboration: Insights on fostering alignment and driving collaboration across diverse teams to achieve success in complex, multinational organizations.  

Additional Insights:

• Embracing Change: Ani highlights the challenges and rewards of adapting to digital transformation.
• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Understanding local customs as a foundation for trust and teamwork.
• Unlearning to Grow: Letting go of old habits to thrive in evolving business landscapes.

Get ready for an inspiring and transformative conversation with Ani Filipova on embracing change, leadership, and the power of reinvention!

Episode Highlights:

• 00:36 - Episode Introduction

"If you don't speak up, if you don't show your work. If you don't share your opinions, that's not good at all.

• 01:27 - Introduction to the Episode: Barry introduces Ani Filipova

‘’Ani Filipova, an inspiring leader whose journey spans across continents, industries, and perspectives’’

• 03:10 - Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain

"I saw the world through books... Pippi Longstocking inspired me to dream about traveling to far-off places."

• 12:59 - Leadership Across Cultures

"You can’t pretend to care about people’s aspirations—you have to truly understand what drives them to build trust and alignment."

• 25:01 - Overcoming Personal Challenges in Leadership

"I realized I needed to stop taking everything personally—it was a turning point that helped me approach challenges more confidently." 

• 27:56 - Speaking Up in Leadership Meetings

"I remember waiting for the right moment to contribute, and when I did, the adrenaline rush was overwhelming, but it was worth it."

• 37:44 - Adapting Banking to the Digital Era

"Transitioning from three-day payments to three-second transactions required rethinking systems, processes, and customer expectations."

• 42:11 - The Challenge of Unlearning

"To succeed in today’s...