Episode 39: Reinventing Ourselves with Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva in The Guiding Voice Podcast by Naveen Samala

How Reinvention Became a Survival Skill for Today’s Leaders

In this episode of The Guiding Voice, Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva shares her unconventional journey from academia to becoming a global voice for reinvention. Drawing on her work with companies like Coca-Cola, ERG, and L’Oréal, she explains why reinvention is no longer a one-time event—it’s a core competency. From building global consulting firms to launching the Reinvention Academy, Dr. Nadya reveals how she’s helping thousands turn uncertainty into opportunity.

She also explains how most businesses unknowingly fall into “Titanic Syndrome,” why 88% of Fortune 500 companies have disappeared, and how we can all build reinvention into our daily operations—before it’s too late.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll learn how to future-proof your business by embedding reinvention as a regular discipline, not a last-ditch reaction. Dr. Nadya explains the six-pillar framework that helps leaders design, implement, and sustain continuous change—covering mindset, culture, and systems. You’ll also hear how she advises global companies to pivot faster, prototype smarter, and avoid becoming the next case study in disruption.

Who This Is For

• Corporate leaders and executives managing through uncertainty
• Entrepreneurs navigating market shifts or new ventures
• Consultants looking to add reinvention to their client toolkit
• Educators and policymakers seeking tools for adaptability
• Anyone who wants to build a career (or company) that thrives in chaos

3 Key Takeaways from This Episode

1. Reinvention Isn’t a Project—It’s a Practice

Too many companies treat change as a one-off event. Dr. Nadya introduces her six-pillar method to embed reinvention into your operations—turning it into a repeatable muscle, not a reactive scramble.

2. Most Organizations Suffer from “Titanic Syndrome”

Dr. Nadya coined the term to describe how companies sink themselves through arrogance and attachment to past success. She shares how even top brands fall behind when they assume they have time to wait.

3. Continuous Reinvention Requires the Right Culture and Systems

Mindset alone isn’t enough. Reinvention-ready companies design budgets, KPIs, and workflows to support fast pivots and experimentation—making them more resilient than reactive.

Resources Mentioned

• The Chief Reinvention Officer Handbook – Free 85-page preview available
• Reinvention Academy: Tools, frameworks, and certification programs
• Term introduced: Titanic Syndrome (coined by Dr. Nadya)