What We Don't Know with Matt Brittin & Hayaatun Sillem

In the debut episode of “What We Don’t Know,” hosts Matt Brittin and Hayaatun Sillem set the stage for a series that probes the hidden facets of modern leadership. Both have recently stepped down from senior, complex roles, and they use that transition to ask the questions many executives avoid: how to lead when volatility, ambiguity, and rapid change dominate daily decision‑making. By framing leadership as an ongoing learning journey, the podcast promises practical stories and hard‑won insights that resonate with CEOs, senior managers, and aspiring leaders navigating today’s chaotic business environment. The episode drops a handful of vivid anecdotes that illustrate the episode’s core themes.

A crisis moment is recounted where a leader was hit with fruit during a tense corporate showdown, turning embarrassment into a lesson on resilience and teamwork. Brittin also reveals a $2 million (≈ US $2 million) donation from a recent U2 concert to a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, underscoring how strategic generosity can reinforce credibility and stakeholder trust. Finally, Sillem describes her preparation for a face‑to‑face negotiation with President Putin, highlighting meticulous research, emotional composure, and scenario planning as non‑negotiable tools for high‑stakes talks.

For business audiences, these stories translate into actionable guidance. Crisis management becomes less about avoiding failure and more about extracting growth signals; corporate philanthropy emerges as a lever for brand equity and social impact; and executive negotiation preparation is framed as a disciplined, data‑driven process. The hosts’ commitment to crowd‑sourced questions and diverse guest line‑ups signals a community‑driven learning model that can supplement formal leadership development programs. Listeners are encouraged to follow the show on social channels, submit topics, and apply the uncovered “unknowns” to sharpen their own strategic decision‑making.