April 9, 2026
S2 Ep. 3 Highest You | Ruban Shanmugarajah on Childhood Patterns, People-First Leadership & Leading with Humanity
<div data-test-render-count="1"> <div class="group"> <div class="contents"> <div class="group relative relative pb-3" data-is-streaming= "false"> <div class= "font-claude-response relative leading-[1.65rem] [&_pre>div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> <div> <div class="grid grid-rows-[auto_auto] min-w-0"> <div class="row-start-2 col-start-1 relative grid isolate min-w-0"> <div class="row-start-1 col-start-1 relative z-[2] min-w-0"> <div> <div class= "standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&_>_*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> What if the drive that made you successful is the same thing holding you back? What if the ten-year-old version of you is still running the show in the boardroom?</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> In this episode of Highest You, Kate King speaks with Ruban Shanmugarajah, CEO of Baby Shop, the iconic Landmark Group omnichannel retailer with over 53 years of heritage across the Middle East and beyond. With 18 years in executive leadership at Landmark Group, Ruben has built a people-first culture rooted in trust, humanity, and sustainable performance.</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> From surviving a South London playground as a child who could not speak English, to leading one of the region's most recognised retail brands, Ruben shares how the survival patterns forged in childhood drove his success but eventually became its ceiling.</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]"> 🧠 Key Themes: ● Why calm is not the same as slow, and how stillness actually accelerates leadership ● How a childhood survival pattern was quietly running his boardroom decisions ● Why people-first culture is the true competitive advantage in retail ● The difference between compliance and commitment in teams ● Intentional vulnerability vs dumping on your team ● Why the shift from having answers to asking questions changed everything ● Leading with humanity: behind every KPI is a human story</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> This is an honest, reflective conversation about what sits beneath leadership performance, not corporate theory. It is for leaders ready to look at the patterns driving their success and ask whether those patterns are still serving them.</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> If you are navigating growth, imposter syndrome, or the pressure of leading at scale, this episode is a reminder that awareness and acceptance are where everything starts.</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 🔔 Listen now and subscribe for more real, soul-led leadership conversations.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="flex justify-start" role="group" aria-label= "Message actions"> <div class="text-text-300"> <div class="text-text-300 flex items-stretch justify-between"> <div class="w-fit" data-state="closed"> <div class="relative text-text-500 group-hover/btn:text-text-100"> <div class="transition-all opacity-100 scale-100"> </div> <div class= "absolute top-0 left-0 transition-all opacity-0 scale-50"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="w-fit" data-state="closed"> <div class="text-text-500 group-hover/btn:text-text-100"> </div> </div> <div class="w-fit" data-state="closed"> <div class="text-text-500 group-hover/btn:text-text-100"> </div> </div> <div class="flex items-center"> <div class="w-fit" data-state="closed"> <div class="text-text-500 group-hover/btn:text-text-100"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="h-px w-full pointer-events-none" aria-hidden="true"> </div>
