The Future Of Work Podcast With Jacob Morgan | Futurist | Workplace | Careers | Employee Experience & Engagement |

Is leadership like a game of chess? Imagine navigating the complex world of leadership with the precision and foresight of a chess grandmaster. In this episode, we’re joined by Michael Watkins, author of ‘The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking,’ who draws parallels between the two realms. Learn how to sharpen your pattern recognition skills, boost mental agility, and develop visionary thinking to guide your team effectively. Tune into today’s episode to better understand the 6 disciplines of strategic thinking, refine your decision-making skills and better prepare to lead future-ready teams. ________________ 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/

Is hybrid work here to stay or are we all going to be working back in offices? The whole concept of hybrid work means that you spend some time in the office and some time working out of the office. But what’s the ideal mix? Why does hybrid work help employees? And what are some strategies that companies can use to make hybrid work a reality? Mark Dixon is the founder of the International Workplace Group and he joins me today to explore all things hybrid work related. Throughout our conversation, Mark talks about how work has changed, focusing on “hybrid work,” and he shares tips on how to make this work well in companies, based on his experience with businesses worldwide. He also mentions how hybrid work is reshaping how organizations operate, emphasizing flexibility and a balance between technology and human skills. __________________ 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/

Look around you right now. Every piece of technology is powered by a microchip, but what happens if we lost access to those chips? Chris Miller, an expert in international history and “Chip War” author, joins us to discuss the strategic significance of semiconductor technology in shaping your world. Miller reveals how this critical yet often underestimated technology influences global economics, power structures, and policy-making. For leaders eager to leverage technology for their success, Chris underscores the importance of understanding semiconductor technology for effective, forward-thinking leadership, while equipping yourself with the knowledge to lead confidently in a tech-centric world and shape future trends. ________________ 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/

Today, we seem to be living and working in a perpetual state of crisis which is a huge challenge for leaders. How should leaders lead during times of crisis and chaos? In today’s fast-changing world, the way leaders guide their teams is more important than ever. Lorenzo Simonelli is the CEO of Baker Hughes, a 55,000 person energy company with offices in 120 counties. In today’s spark Lorenzo shares his insights and strategies for making tough decisions during crises like the 2008 financial downturn and the pandemic, underscoring the need for transparency and decisiveness, and focusing on agility and adaptability. He highlights his approach to managing uncertainty and how his leadership style evolved from micromanagement to fostering team development and delegation, with an emphasis on listening and vulnerability. __________________ 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/

Why do so many people struggle to reach their full potential? Hal Elrod, the best-selling author of ‘The Miracle Morning,’ unveils the secrets to leading with a positive mindset in the face of adversity. Drawing from his own remarkable experiences of overcoming life-threatening challenges, Hal inspires you as a leader to stay committed to your goals while remaining empathetic and accountable. He provides you with essential strategies to effectively handle challenging scenarios and leaders, while emphasizing the importance of a morning routine in fostering growth and success as a leader. ________________ 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/

How are you cultivating resilience within yourself and your team, especially in times of uncertainty and change? In a world where life can throw unexpected challenges our way, being adaptable and making thoughtful life decisions are like essential tools in our toolkit. In my chat with Ania Smith, the CEO of TaskRabbit, she shows us how these tools can help us create a remarkable path in our personal and professional lives. Her story, growing up as an immigrant, valuing education, and finding her passion in platforms like TaskRabbit, teaches us the importance of being open to new opportunities and actively pursuing what we’re good at and what we love. This story highlights how adaptability and making smart choices can transform our lives and offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to navigate life’s twists and turns. __________________ 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/

What separates good leaders from great ones? Jim Barr is the CEO of Bowflex Inc. and in today’s podcast he shares the importance of choosing the right mentors and teams over brand names and salaries, offering a new perspective on career advancement. Jim also shares the importance of adapting to consumer expectations and business trends to focus on long-term growth. This includes investing in digital transformation and dealing with potential headwinds that might come your way. Don't miss out on learning about the importance of nurturing relationships, embracing learning opportunities, and the transformative power of effective teamwork in today's episode. ________________ 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/

People are turning down leadership roles, how come and are you one of them? In today’s Leadership Spark, I chat with Scott DeRue, the former Dean of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and current President of Equinox Fitness. We’re diving into Scott’s research, digging into the real-world challenges that CEOs are facing these days. It turns out that almost 40% to 50% of capable leaders are holding back because they’re wary of the risks that come with leadership. However, our discussion isn’t just about identifying these problems – we’re also exploring solutions. Scott and I tackle why capable individuals might be hesitating to step into leadership roles, share advice on talent retention for leaders, discuss how to spot leadership potential, and highlight key skills and mindsets crucial for emerging leaders. Plus, we’re shedding light on common leadership pitfalls. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss! __________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joi

Do people still want to work hard? John Peyton is the CEO of Dine Brands, which is the parent company behind IHOP, Applebee’s, & Fuzzy’s Taco Shop which collectively has over 100,000 team members across a variety of generations. Each generation has their own way of working and their own expectations of what work should be like. How can we find common ground in the workplace and do different generations work more or harder than others? John shares his insights on how to lead a multi-generational workforce successfully. __________________ 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/

What kind of a leader are you? There are 8 types of leaders and each one makes decisions and impacts their organization in a different way. Understanding these archetypes helps us create more effective teams and make better decisions. Today’s discussion is with Manfred Kets de Vries, Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development and Organizational Change at INSEAD. In our conversation, Manfred, talks about how his early life during the Second World War in Holland led him to study leadership and how people behave in organizations. He uses ideas from both economics and psychiatry to explore different leadership styles and explain why it’s important for leaders to focus on their people. __________________ 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/

Are you a geek? A curious person, one who's not afraid to tackle hard problems and embrace unconventional solutions? Geeks in business have created a new culture based around four norms: science, ownership, speed, and openness. Today I sit down with Principal Research Scientist at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Andrew McAffee, who defines what it means to lead with a geek mindset and the unconventional approach it takes towards success. By following Andrew’s ‘Geek Way’ you will find yourself equipped with a willingness to be unconventional in order to push the boundaries towards success!   __________________ 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/

Do you ever struggle with shutting down and setting professional boundaries? Greg McKeown is the New York Times Bestselling Author of Effortless and Essentialism. In today’s spark he challenges the culture of overwork and advocates for a balanced approach to achieving goals. Greg emphasizes the importance of transforming work and relaxation into enjoyable rituals, rather than chores, to prevent burnout. He also discusses the necessity of setting boundaries, such as a "done for the day" list and a fixed end to the workday, to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially in a remote working environment. __________________ 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/  

Do you struggle with imposter syndrome? Understand why you belong where you are, simply because YOU are there. Today we hear from Shark Tank Judge & CEO, Matt Higgins, who shares how to overcome the effects of imposter syndrome & how to harness your anxiety as motivation. Follow Matt’s research-backed strategies to demonstrate growth in your leadership by dropping the victim mentality, changing the perspective on your anxiety, and ditching self-doubt in the workplace! __________________ 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/

True corporate responsibility has always been about more than words. According to Horst Schulze, Former CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, leadership is all about connection, purpose, and clarity. In our latest discussion with Horst, we delved into his journey in the hotel industry, from a 14-year-old busboy to a pivotal figure at Ritz Carlton. He reflects on the industry's evolution, transitioning from intuition-driven decisions to a structured approach.  Hosrt critiques the modern overdependence on technology in hiring, suggesting it often overlooks the best candidates. Emphasizing leadership over mere management, he underscores the need for genuine human connection, purpose, and clear communication in businesses. He touches on corporate social responsibility, noting that while it's more vocalized today, its essence isn't new. Our conversation highlights the scarcity of true leaders in today's corporate landscape. __________________ Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of oth

Why is it so crucial for you to think like an OWNER if you want to see career success? It’s easy to point out problems but very few people are actually able to develop solutions and that’s what we need more of in the business world. In today’s discussion I sit down with Liz Etling, Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Woman to unpack what having an owner mindset is all about and how to develop it. We’ll explore how you as an employee can create the most impact, how to focus on innovation, the difference between skills and attitude, and how to disagree in the right way. __________________ 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/

In today’s leadership spark, I had an awesome chat with Gorick Ng, Author of "The Unspoken Rules." Gorick shared his story from helping his mom after she lost her job to going to Harvard. He emphasized the importance of understanding the "unspoken rules" in the corporate world, which aren't taught in school but are crucial for success. These rules revolve around three main pillars: competence, commitment, and compatibility. These rules are about being good at your job, showing you're dedicated, and fitting in with your team. Gorick mentioned that it's not just about doing your job but also showing you can do more. While competence and skills are essential, understanding and navigating the unspoken rules of the corporate world can play a significant role in one's career trajectory. __________________ This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠Kyndryl⁠⁠. Kyndryl makes the future of work possible by designing, building and managing systems that the world depends on. Make sure to check them out at ⁠⁠Kyndryl.com⁠⁠. __________

Most mentor and mentee relationships fail! Not because of bad intentions but because the wrong questions are being asked. Amy Salcido is the president of Kyndryl US, one of the world's leading IT infrastructure service providers with over 90,000 employees. During the course of her career she has mentored countered team members and has also experienced good and bad mentorship as she was ascending the ranks of her career. In today's episode Amy shares the most important questions that both mentees and mentors can ask in order to create an impactful relationship for both parties.  __________________ This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠Kyndryl⁠⁠. Kyndryl makes the future of work possible by designing, building and managing systems that the world depends on. Make sure to check them out at ⁠⁠Kyndryl.com⁠⁠. __________________ 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/

In today's episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Artie Starrs, the CEO of Topgolf, a global sports entertainment company with 22,000 employees, known for its innovative golf driving ranges. Topgolf made waves in 2022, achieving $4 billion in sales and consistent annual growth. Artie's leadership style centers on authenticity, striking a balance between being genuine and considering your audience's boundaries. Tune in to learn how to avoid oversharing or self-indulgence when it comes to vulnerability in leadership. Artie also shares his approach to addressing mistakes, navigating discomfort and vulnerability when relating to others' experiences, and handling challenges arising from a lack of shared experiences in leadership. Don't miss out on this episode! Artie Starrs is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability. Grab your copy now: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Vulnerability-Superpower-Transform-Organization/dp/1119895243/⁠ __________________ Start your day wi

In today’s leadership spark, I chat with Cameron Herald, Founder of the COO Alliance. He is known as the CEO Whisperer. In our conversation, we delved into the paramount importance of self-awareness and introspection in both our personal and professional lives. We tackled the role of innovative companies like Kindle in shaping the future of work and emphasized the value of tools like "mind maps" for planning and visualization.  For individuals, allocating time for self-reflection is crucial, with even small changes, like watching less TV, making a significant difference. According to Cameron, effective leadership is characterized by a commitment to nurturing team skills and confidence, while avoiding pitfalls like silos and politics. The best leaders prioritize the broader organizational goals over departmental interests. They understand that true professional fulfillment and effective leadership arise from aligning personal values with the right work environment and emphasizing collective achievements over i

In today's episode, I chat with Panera Bread's founder, Ron Shaich, about his 36-year leadership journey. From starting as a small cookie store in Boston to becoming a top fast-casual chain with over 120,000 employees, Shaich delves into how he approached those tough choices along the way. Prioritizing core values over just data, our discussion uncovers the importance of resilience and perseverance in leadership. __________________ This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠Kyndryl⁠⁠. Kyndryl makes the future of work possible by designing, building and managing systems that the world depends on. Make sure to check them out at ⁠⁠Kyndryl.com⁠⁠. __________________ 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/