CAREER-VIEW MIRROR - biographies of colleagues in the automotive and mobility industries.
CAREER-VIEW MIRROR offers career lessons from the experiences of senior leaders and rising stars in the exciting global automotive industry. Aquilae's Managing Director, Andy Follows, hosts candid conversations, reflecting on their career journeys to help you with yours.
CAREER-VIEW MIRROR - biographies of colleagues in the automotive and mobility industries.
Frank T. Ziede: From Hip Hop to High Impact – Why People Matter Most
In this episode of CAREER-VIEW MIRROR, we’re celebrating the career to date of Frank T. Ziede.
Frank Ziede is a professional facilitator, corporate trainer, and keynote speaker whose work bridges the gap between leadership and genuine emotional engagement. His mission is simple: people matter most.
From performing as a professional hip hop dancer with artists like Celine Dion, Ginuwine, and Usher, to becoming an award-winning filmmaker, Frank’s creative journey eventually led him to corporate facilitation, where he’s worked with brands such as BMW, MINI, Rivian, Toyota, Jaguar Land Rover, and many more.
Frank combines a performer’s ability to inhabit a role with a deep understanding of emotional intelligence, helping people authentically represent their brand while delivering standout customer experiences. He’s also the author of the forthcoming book The Lost Art of Giving a Shit: Why Caring About Customers Pays Off — a timely, relevant, and entertaining call for more empathy and connection in the workplace.
In our conversation, we talk about Frank’s upbringing in Mesa, Arizona, and the creative, art-filled environment that shaped his early life. We explore his performing arts high school years, his transition into acting and professional dance, and the mentors who helped him pivot into corporate facilitation.
Frank shares how he adapts to embody different automotive brands, why emotional intelligence is essential for great customer service, and how his handwritten thank-you card practice has built trust and lasting relationships.
We also discuss his filmmaking projects, his upcoming book, and his philosophy that customer experience starts with employees who feel valued, supported, and connected.
Connect with Frank
Black Season 1 & 2 on Vimeo BLACK the Web Series - Season 1 & 2
About Andy
I’m a business leader, coach, and the creator of the Fulfilling Performance framework—designed to help people bring more of themselves to what they do and experience greater fulfilment and performance as a result.
Over the past 25+ years, I’ve led and developed businesses including Alphabet UK, BMW Financial Services in the UK, Singapore, and New Zealand, and Tesla Financial Services UK. Alongside this, I’ve coached individuals and facilitated leadership development programmes in 17 countries across Asia, Europe, and North America.
In 2016, I founded Aquilae to support leaders and teams in the mobility sector and beyond. Through workshops, coaching, and peer mentoring, we enable high performance that’s also fulfilling—for individuals, teams, and organisations.
Learn more about Fulfilling Performance
Check out Release the Handbrake! The Fulfilling Performance Hub
Connect with Andy
LinkedIn: Andy Follows
Email: cvm@aquilae.co.uk
Join a peer mentoring team: Aquilae Academy
Thank you to our sponsors:
ASKE Consulting
Email: hello@askeconsulting.co.uk
Aquilae
Email: cvm@aquilae.co.uk
Episode Directory on Instagram @careerviewmirror
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Episode recorded on 12 August, 2025.