Choisir sans renoncer: my conversation with Laura Bokobza on decision-making

I had the pleasure of taking part in Choisir sans renoncer (Choosing Without Giving Up), the podcast by Laura Bokobza dedicated to decision-making and the loneliness of leadership. We talked about my years at Schlumberger, my move into entrepreneurship, and how I make the call in critical moments, whether on an oil field site or within jll.spear. The episode is in French.

About the podcast

Choisir sans renoncer explores the moment just before a decision, when the ego argues, biases blur the signal, and choosing becomes a matter of leadership and strategy. The podcast alternates conversations with business leaders and solo episodes.

About Laura Bokobza

Laura Bokobza is a sparring partner for business leaders. She hosts Choisir sans renoncer and also offers decision-making coaching through LBK Consulting.

Episode summary

In this episode, I look back on my career and my approach to decision-making:

• A bold path of decisions: from my 15 years at Schlumberger, with operations across 18 countries (00:56) to my move into entrepreneurship in Bordeaux with my childhood friends (01:23). I explain that I made the decision to leave my job years before acting on it, and prepared the transition carefully (17:45).
• Decision-making and risk: my method for making the call under pressure, especially on oil field sites where the team’s safety was at stake (30:14). Once made, a decision must be irrevocable (00:04), but you have to listen to weak signals and to your own internal “sensor” (40:49).
• Partnering with my peers: how jll.spear works, where major decisions are made unanimously, illustrated by a company acquisition called off on the day of signing, out of respect for the group’s shared culture (38:22).
• Balancing work and family life: never fully separating career choices from family life, despite seven moves in fifteen years (01:13).
• New horizons: accepting a CTO role in Singapore while remaining a partner in jll.spear, driven by a long-term growth opportunity (00:00 to 02:17).

🧪 Decision-maker quiz (in French): lbkconsulting.fr/quizz-du-decideur

🔗 Laura Bokobza on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurabokobza

📷 Instagram: instagram.com/laurabokobza

📬 Newsletter: Choisir sans renoncer on LinkedIn

🌿 Website: lbkconsulting.fr

▶️ Listen to the full episode (in French): YouTube