Segment 1: Origins of a Visionary
Q1 “Let’s start at the beginning, Robert. You come from what I’ve heard described as a ‘storica dinastia’, a historic lineage in Europe You’ve dedicated your life to international law and global work. Can you tell us a bit about your early life? What values or experiences in your upbringing set you on this unique path?”
Q2 “It sounds like those family values really ignited your sense of purpose. Were there any pivotal moments when you knew for sure that law – and especially international law – was your calling? Perhaps a moment in school or a world event that moved you?”
Q3 “Speaking of law school, you have quite an international education yourself – you studied law in Italy, in Spain, and even qualified as a solicitor in the UK. How did that broad academic journey shape your perspective?”
Q4 “It’s fascinating to hear how those early chapters – family influences and international studies – laid the groundwork for what came next. It’s like you were weaving a tapestry of different threads: history, culture, law, ethics, all coming together. Before we move on, I’m curious: when you were first starting out in your career, did you ever imagine you’d end up wearing so many hats – legal counsel, advisor, writer, coach? Or were you laser-focused on one thing at that time?”
Segment 2: Blending Worlds – Law Meets Soul
Q5 “Let’s talk about one of the most intriguing aspects of your journey: you are both a legal compliance expert and a spiritual life coach. That’s a rare combination. How did this blending of worlds come about? Was there a moment you decided to pursue coaching alongside your legal career?”
Q6 “It makes perfect sense. It’s like you saw a human void in the corporate world and found a way to fill it. How do these roles complement each other for you? I’m imagining, for instance, that your coaching skills help you in legal negotiations or leadership, and conversely, your legal mindset gives structure to your coaching. Do you find that?”
Q7 “That’s incredible. Not many people would pause a high-stakes meeting for a mindfulness break! It shows a lot of courage and confidence to introduce something like that in a corporate environment. Did you ever face pushback or skepticism for wearing these two hats? Like, perhaps colleagues thinking ‘what’s this lawyer doing talking about meditation?’ How did you navigate those perceptions?”
Q8 “You were indeed ahead of the curve. It’s leaders like you who normalize compassion in business, and that’s such a needed change. It’s inspiring to hear that the very traits that made you seem ‘unconventional’ turned out to be your superpower in leadership.”
Segment 3: Challenging the Status Quo
Q9 “Every trailblazer faces some turbulence. In your case, Robert, you weren’t just doing one unconventional thing – you were doing several! You’ve moved between industries, you’ve championed ethics and spirituality in finance, you’ve written thought-provoking articles. I imagine there were times you had to challenge the status quo pretty directly. Can you talk about a major challenge or controversy you encountered in your career, and how you dealt with it?”
Q10 “That’s a powerful story. You essentially chose to protect people over the easier path of going with the flow. It’s interesting how you phrase it: integrity has a cost. Many people in that position might choose personal job security over stirring waters. What gave you the courage to take that risk? Was it those core values from earlier, or maybe your spiritual perspective that emboldened you?”
Q11 “Well said. And I’m sure that incident earned you a lot of respect in hindsight. Now, you also write articles on some challenging topics – I saw you’ve written about things like international law for emerging tech, even pieces that touch on societal or ethical dilemmas. Writing sometimes invites controversy too. Have you ever faced backlash for your writings or public speaking, perhaps from people who disagreed with your forward-thinking views?”
Q12 “That’s a great perspective – upsetting both extremes as a sign of leading in the right direction. It’s evident you’re not afraid to voice ideas that challenge people, whether in the boardroom or in public discourse. One more question in this vein: how do you maintain yourself through these challenges? You’ve been through intense situations – ethically, intellectually – do you have any personal practices to stay grounded when you’re in the hot seat?”
Segment 4: “La Vita è Adesso” – Life Is Now
Q13 “Robert, one of the phrases most associated with you is “La Vita è Adesso,” which means ‘Life is now.’ I find that beautiful and intriguing coming from someone who deals in long-term strategies and structured plans. What does “Life is now” mean to you, and where did this personal philosophy originate? Was there a specific life experience that taught you to live in the present?”
Q14 “Thank you for sharing that. It’s often a wake-up call like that which jolts us into re-evaluating everything. How did things change for you after that realization? I mean in practical terms – did you start doing things differently in your daily life to honor that life is now philosophy?”
Q15 “I can imagine. There’s this paradox that when we live more fully and presently, we often excel even more in our careers, because we’re aligned with ourselves. Now, you also talk a lot about living without regret and this idea of fusing tradition with transformation. How do those ideas tie in? What do you mean by living without regret, and how can someone honor their traditions or past while still transforming and moving forward?”
Q16 “That’s beautifully put. Integrating the essence of the past into the possibilities of the future – it’s a harmonious way to grow. Listening to you, it’s clear you’ve done a lot of inner work, not just professional work. I’m curious, do you have any spiritual or mindfulness practices that you regularly use to maintain that clarity and presence you speak of? You mentioned meditation earlier; is that a daily thing for you? Are there other practices too?”
Segment 5: Wisdom for Future Leaders
Q17 “Robert, this series is all about global leadership and mentorship. You’ve gathered a wealth of wisdom from your diverse experiences. Let’s channel that into some advice for our listeners. First, for those young professionals or students out there who admire your multi-faceted career – law, finance, coaching, leadership – what would you say to them if they want to pursue a similarly broad path? Any advice on handling or even planning a multi-dimensional career?”
Q18 “That’s fantastic advice: focus on mastery, stay curious, be a lifelong learner, nurture connections and self-care. Now, let’s talk about global leadership qualities. In your view, given how fast the world is changing – technologically, socially – what qualities or values do the next generation of leaders need the most?”
Q19 “Excellent points. Adaptability, empathy, integrity, vision, cultural intelligence – that sounds like a recipe for a leader who can truly make a positive impact. Now, a scenario: Suppose one of our listeners feels stuck in a conventional career or is afraid to take that unconventional step – like a lawyer who secretly wants to be a writer, or an executive who dreams of starting a charity – what would you tell them?”
Q20 “That’s incredibly empowering. It’s like permission to be our full selves and not just follow a script that others expect. Finally, since this series is called Amazing Mentor, I want to ask: do you have a mentor or role model who deeply influenced you? And how do you pay that forward as a mentor to others now?”
Segment 6: Rapid Fire Round
“Alright, Robert, we’ve learned so much from you in depth – now let’s switch gears and have a little fun. It’s time for our Rapid Fire Round! I’ll ask a series of quick questions, and you answer with the first thing that comes to mind. Ready?”
• One book that greatly influenced you?”
• “What’s your go-to activity to de-stress?”
• “One principle you live by in one sentence?”
• “A mentor or hero who inspires you (besides your grandfather, whom we heard about)?”
• “Favorite country or city that feels like a second home?”
• “If you weren’t in this career, what would you be doing?”
• What’s one thing people often get wrong about you?”
Segment 7: Future Vision & Legacy
Q21 “Robert, as we come towards the end of our conversation, let’s look to the horizon. With all your experience, what is your vision for the future of global leadership? How do you think leaders in the next decade or two need to evolve, especially with everything from rapid technological advancements to global challenges like climate change or social inequality?”
Q22 “Wise outlook. I share that hope that conscious, compassionate leadership becomes the norm. Now, let’s connect this to what you’re doing currently. You’re serving as Group President at IKAR Holdings – which, from what I understand, is a unique multinational entrepreneurial ecosystem – and you’re also deeply involved in compliance leadership in the EU. How do those roles tie into this vision? What kind of impact are you hoping to make through IKAR and your other initiatives in the coming years?”
Q23 “It’s like you’re working on the systemic level through IKAR and compliance, while also working on the personal level through coaching and mentoring – attacking the problem from both ends, which is fantastic. Now, on a more personal note, do you have any upcoming projects or dreams on the horizon that you’re looking forward to? Perhaps another book, or expanding your foundation’s work, or even something completely new?”
Q24 “That sounds amazing – sign me up for the retreat when it opens! And best of luck with the book; I’m sure many people would love to read more in depth about your experiences and insights. Finally, Robert, since this show is called Believe in Future, I want to ask: What do you believe in for the future? In other words, if you could leave us with one core belief or hope about the future that keeps you motivated, what would it be?”
