Episodes
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With AI advancing at breakneck speed, what does this mean for your job, your company, and the way we work? Martin Ford, one of the world’s top futurists, joins us to break down the rapid rise of AI and how it’s shaking up the job market. In this episode, Martin reveals why white-collar jobs might vanish before blue-collar ones, how AI agents are quietly becoming our new co-workers, and why leaders need to embrace this shift instead of fearing it. We dive into the strategies every leader needs to stay ahead, including how to balance human talent with AI’s growing capabilities, why hybrid teams are the future, and what to do now to prepare for the massive workplace changes on the horizon.
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Future of Work Leaders is a NEW community of the world’s top CHROs who are shaping the future of work and employee experience. Other communities focus purely on traditional HR, are VERY expensive, members are constantly being sold to, and there’s far more fluff than value. Future of Work Leaders is affordable for any CHRO, there’s no selling, no speeches, and no fluff. It’s purely focused on strategy, insight, and connections with world leading CHROs who are shaping the future of work and employee experience. Join 40 members including CHROs from LEGO, Johnson & Johnson, Dow, Tractor Supply, Northrop Grumman, and Neiman Marcus. Check out FutureOfWorkLeaders.com to learn more and request an invite.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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Missing episodes?
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Are you chasing the wrong kind of wealth? We all chase success, but too often, it’s tied to money, fame, or career milestones. Sahil Bloom, author of The Five Types of Wealth and creator of the Curiosity Chronicle newsletter, believes that true wealth lies in a balance of time, relationships, health, mental clarity, and financial stability.
In today’s episode, Sahil introduces a fresh way to think about success by focusing on these five types of wealth. We explore how to connect your work to your purpose, overcome the trap of overthinking, and use simple frameworks to build deeper connections and more meaningful progress. We’ll unpack Sahil’s transformative insights, including why chasing money without purpose leads to burnout, how to build "social wealth" to combat the loneliness epidemic, the power of questioning cultural norms to find your identity, and how even small actions can create massive compounding effects in life.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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Are today’s leaders too afraid to lead? In today's Leadership Spark, we explore the challenges of leadership today, from balancing psychological safety with accountability to being honest about workplace expectations. We discuss how over-coddling employees and focusing too much on feelings can backfire, and why it’s important for leaders to set clear standards while fostering respect and responsibility.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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The secret to better leadership in the future of work isn't knowing everything, but mastering the right things. This episode brings together three leadership visionaries—Diego Barreto, CEO of iFood; Jeff Kindler, former CEO of Pfizer; and Frederic Laloux, author of Reinventing Organizations—to share the tools you need to lead smarter in the new world of work. You'll learn why mastering one skill at a time, encouraging constructive disagreement, and embracing self-management are the keys to navigating uncertainty, driving better decisions, and building agile teams.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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Most employees start their journey excited and motivated, but that enthusiasm often fades when organizations rely on perks like yoga or free food to boost engagement. These quick fixes don’t address deeper needs. In today's Leadership Spark, we dig into the critical difference between employee engagement and employee experience, showing how leading companies shift from superficial perks to meaningful workplace transformation. Learn why only 6% of organizations excel in creating environments where employees thrive—and how your company can join them.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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Mentorship is often misunderstood. Many mentees expect their mentors to drive the relationship or solve their problems. But Amy Salcido, President of Kyndryl U.S., shows us a different take on how to do mentorship right. In today’s episode, Amy shares her unique insights from leading a team of 16,000 employees in one of the world’s largest IT infrastructure companies. Amy unpacks the lessons she learned at IBM, where mentorship was pivotal in her rise to executive leadership. She explains why mentorship fails without proactive mentees taking responsibility for their own growth, how authenticity accelerates leadership success, and why the best mentors don’t give you answers—they guide you to find them yourself. We also tackle the surprising benefits of focusing on passions instead of job titles and how to structure effective mentor-mentee relationships in any organization.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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Have you ever wondered if vulnerability could backfire? Leaders often face tough decisions about when and how to be open, and the stakes are high when trust is involved. In today's Leadership Spark, we explore a powerful story about a CEO who learned hard lessons about vulnerability after it was used against her early in her career. You'll hear insights on navigating trust, why vulnerability is essential for leadership, and how self-compassion can be your safety net when things go wrong. This episode also introduces the "Vulnerability Wheel" framework to help leaders use vulnerability effectively.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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Turning around a struggling company isn’t for the faint of heart, but Kate Johnson, CEO of Lumen Technologies, is proving it can be done—and done well. Leading 30,000 employees and steering billions in revenue, Kate is tackling one of the toughest challenges in business: shifting a telecom giant from “playing not to lose” to “playing to win.” In this episode, Kate opens her fresh and fearless playbook on what it really takes to transform a culture: it starts with clarifying your mission and getting everyone aligned. She shares bold, practical strategies like fostering trust, teaching resilience, and encouraging courageous conversations that push teams forward, not sideways. We’ll also unpack why most leaders fail at culture change (and it’s not for lack of trying), how to break silos by getting close to the action, and the non-negotiables for any leader’s first 100 days. If you’re ready to rethink what it means to lead and create a culture that wins, you don’t want to miss this one.
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Workplace flexibility isn’t new, but its importance is growing. More than just remote or hybrid setups, it’s about giving employees options in career paths, benefits, and how they work best. In today’s Leadership Spark, we explore why leaders must stay true to their company’s culture and values, especially in uncertain times. Flip-flopping on big decisions leads to mistrust, but clear communication and conviction create alignment and loyalty. Learn how successful companies navigated the return to office with confidence and how to lead in uncertainty by knowing what matters most to your organization and standing by it, even as the workplace continues to evolve.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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The office isn’t dead—it’s evolving. How do you design a workplace where you could inspire creativity, collaboration, and sustainability? Jordan Goldstein and Elizabeth Brink, co-CEOs of Gensler, the world’s leading design firm, know all about it. They’ve not only spearheaded some of the most iconic workplace designs but but have also championed a co-leadership model that fosters synergy and innovation. Jordan and Elizabeth are behind groundbreaking projects like Under Armour’s net-zero headquarters, vibrant mixed-use lifestyle districts, and adaptive reuse designs that breathe new life into old spaces. In today’s episode, we’ll explore why the office is still vital for culture and collaboration, how to design spaces that foster engagement and innovation, and why immersive technology and sustainability is no longer optional in workplace design. The future of work is more exciting than ever and packed with opportunities to rethink space, culture, and collaboration.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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Are you shaping the future or letting it shape you? In today’s Leadership Spark, we explore how leaders can think in scenarios to prepare for multiple outcomes and avoid being caught off guard. We also dive into the power of AI tools like ChatGPT, which are transforming how leaders train employees, boost productivity, and solve problems. But with great power comes responsibility—balancing AI’s potential with human judgment is key to building the future of work.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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If leadership were easy, everyone would do it—but here’s how the best make it look effortless. In this special episode of Future Ready Leadership, three visionary leaders share powerful, actionable strategies to help you activate teams, build unshakable trust, and transform workplace culture. Rachel Cooke, former Director of HR at American Express, host of the Modern Mentor podcast, and founder of Lead Above Noise, unpacks her four-pillar framework for driving team success through connection, development, and well-being. Chris Nicholas, CEO of Sam’s Club, shares his Trust Equation, showing why authenticity and transparency are the foundation of impactful leadership. Lastly, we have Melanie Dulbecco, CEO of R. Torre & Co., Inc., who reveals how a people-first culture can become your ultimate competitive advantage, with insights on purpose-driven operations and profit-sharing. Get ready to lead with purpose and shape the future of work. They say leaders are born, not made—but this episode proves the opposite with strategies you can’t afford to miss.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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What shapes the employee experience? In this episode of Leadership Spark, we explore the three pillars that define it: physical space, technology, and culture. Physical environments contribute 30% of employee satisfaction, with top companies creating flexible, activity-based spaces. Technology, also 30%, acts as the central nervous system but becomes a human problem when it fails. Culture, the most impactful at 40%, determines how employees feel and connect to purpose. Through compelling stories and research, we unpack how leaders can design workplaces that inspire, support, and engage.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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The workplace is evolving faster than ever, leaving leaders scrambling to keep up with new demands. How can you ensure your leadership skills remain relevant and impactful in 2025? In this episode of Future Ready Leadership, we have experts who will share the tools you need to thrive and stand out as a leader. Tom Henschel, host of The Look and Sound of Leadership, shares the secrets to executive presence—commanding attention and respect in any room. Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of The Power of Habit, teaches us how to master conversations to deepen workplace connections and amplify your impact. Together, they reveal how to lead with authority, connect authentically, and shape your future with confidence. The future is fast approaching—get ready to lead it.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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One CEO was fired for being vulnerable. Another saved their company. What made the difference? In today’s Leadership Spark, we go beyond the theory of leading with vulnerability to explore how it works in real life. Vulnerability isn’t just admitting mistakes—it’s about showing how you’re taking action to close gaps and grow. Through powerful examples, including the contrasting stories of two CEOs who led with vulnerability, you’ll see how balancing openness with leadership drives results. We’ll also unpack common workplace scenarios and share actionable tips for first-time leaders to use vulnerability as a superpower. Learn how to inspire trust while staying accountable in this episode.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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What skills, trends, and strategic thinking do leaders need to embrace for the future? In this episode, we explore three compelling perspectives to help leaders prepare for 2025. Michael Watkins breaks down The 6 Disciplines of Strategic Thinking he authored, showing how leaders can mobilize their teams and make smarter, more impactful decisions. Seth Godin, renowned Author, Entrepreneur, and Founder of the Carbon Almanac, challenges the status quo with his take on why adaptability beats rigid planning and why leaders need to think beyond checklists to thrive. Finally, Nicholas Bloom, William D. Eberle Professor of Economics at Stanford University, reveals surprising data on remote work, from its effects on productivity to what it really takes to retain top talent in a hybrid world.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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What does it really mean to lead with vulnerability? In today’s Leadership Spark, we dive into the delicate balance between openness and competence in leadership. Vulnerability is essential for building trust and fostering connections, but simply admitting mistakes isn’t enough, especially in the workplace. Leaders need to pair vulnerability with action. We’ll explore why this concept is more critical than ever in today’s fast-changing environment and how it can help leaders inspire confidence while maintaining accountability. You’ll learn how to embrace this powerful equation: Vulnerability + Leadership = Real Impact.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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The pace of change is relentless, and leaders everywhere are grappling with the same challenge: how do we prepare our teams for a future we can’t predict? In this episode of Future Ready Leadership, Google’s first Chief Innovation Evangelist, Frederik Pferdt, offers a solution—shifting your mindset to embrace curiosity, radical optimism, and human-centered leadership. Drawing from his groundbreaking work at Google and insights from his book "What’s Next is Now", Frederik reveals the secrets to transforming uncertainty into possibility. We dive into why innovation dies on idea boards, how replacing “but” with “and” can change everything, and the six dimensions of a future-ready mindset. Frederik also gets personal, sharing stories about handling California wildfires, transforming challenges into opportunities, and how experimenting like a gardener can help your ideas grow.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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Can leaders keep up when change never slows down? In today’s Leadership Spark, we explore how the accelerating pace of change is reshaping workplaces, work ethics, and the delicate balance between employee empowerment and accountability. From the rise of disengaged work cultures to the struggle for accountability, this episode dives into the realities of modern leadership and what it takes to adapt, thrive, and rebuild the balance.
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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
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