Episode
EP 11: The Role of Resilience in Career Success with Sarah Derry
- Podcast
- CEO Whisperer by Saurabh
- Published
- Mar 3, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 5424
- Processing state
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Summary
In this deeply reflective and human episode, Saurabh Jain sits down with Sarah Derry , former CEO of Accor Pacific and current Chief People Officer at The Star Entertainment Group, to explore one of the least discussed but most challenging moments in senior leadership: transition after redundancy. Sarah shares her extraordinary career journey, from frontline hospitality roles to leading a 21,000-person organisation as CEO before being made redundant due to global restructuring. She offers a rare, honest account of what it feels like to lose a role at the highest level, how leaders can avoid being psychologically “damaged” by redundancy, and why confidence, identity, and self-belief must exist independently of title. Together, they unpack the realities of CEO succession processes, executive recruitment, negotiating redundancy, and why many senior leaders rush into their next role from a place of fear rather than strength. The conversation also explores parenting, resilience, privilege, gender dynamics in leadership, and how leaders can intentionally design the next chapter of their careers rather than reacting to circumstances. This episode is essential listening for CEOs, executives, founders, and senior leaders navigating career transitions, identity shifts, or moments of uncertainty at the peak of their careers. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Sarah Derry’s journey from hospitality operations to CEO of Accor Pacific How CEOs are selected and evaluated at the highest levels What it really feels like to be made redundant as a CEO Why redundancy damages many leaders—and how to avoid it The difference between confidence, title, and personal identity How to negotiate redundancy and protect future optionality Why rushing into the next role can limit long-term outcomes Th…