Future Ready Leadership With Jacob Morgan
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Are you ready to lead in the future of work? Most leaders aren't! Join 5x best-selling author & futurist Jacob Morgan as he interviews the world's top CEOs, best-selling authors, and leading thinkers to bring you the insights, strategies, and tools you need to become a future ready leader. Guests include CEOs from Best Buy, Netflix, Hyatt, and GE as well as leading thinkers like Seth Godin, Dan Pink, Yuval Harari, and Marshall Goldsmith. This is the world's #1 podcast to lead in the future of work!
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W: https://thefutureorganization.com/
Watch the videos on Youtube: bit.ly/406fmFP
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jacobmorgan8/
LI: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobmorgan8
TW: https://twitter.com/jacobm
W: https://thefutureorganization.com/
1101 Episodes
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December 12, 2025: Recent data shows unemployment for new college graduates is now higher than the overall workforce — an unusual and troubling signal that entry-level work is breaking down. At the same time, OpenAI's GPT-5.2 marks a shift from AI as a helper to AI as a task owner, reshaping how professional work gets done and raising hard questions about jobs, accountability, and career paths. We also explore why AI is dramatically expanding the role of the CHRO, turning HR leaders into architects of human-AI collaboration, and how "ghostworking" is emerging as outdated productivity metrics collide with modern knowledge work. Finally, a Microsoft executive draws a rare line in the sand, saying AI development should stop if it threatens humanity — highlighting the growing leadership challenge of governance, judgment, and restraint.
December 11, 2025: In today's episode, I break down five major stories reshaping the future of work and leadership. I start with the growing crisis of trust as employees hesitate to adopt new AI tools, then dive into the global debate around "neurorights" and the push to protect cognitive privacy in an era of emerging neurotechnology. I unpack AT&T's candid admission that cultural fixes came far too late, explore how AI managers are beginning to automate managerial busywork and influence organizational design, and examine Disney's landmark partnership with OpenAI and what it signals for the future of creativity and intelligent content creation. Each story includes a futurist lens that connects today's headlines to the deeper shifts every leader must understand to build a truly future-ready organization.
December 10, 2025: Today's episode breaks down the forces reshaping work right now: more than 1.1 million layoffs across the U.S. economy, bank CEOs signaling that AI will replace foundational tasks, engineering leaders using AI to reveal performance gaps, new Harvard research showing AI agents taking over cognitive work, a widening leadership-capacity gap, and the rise of AI-native people management platforms like Shapes. We explore what each story means for talent, leadership, and the future of work.
December 9, 2025: Today's episode brings together the biggest shifts shaping work right now: a global Gen Z unemployment crisis pushing the UK into a $965M skills investment, Amazon's surprising move to position AI agents as "teammates," Jamie Dimon's latest prediction on how AI will reshape jobs and society, new research showing young professionals falling behind in remote roles, fresh data revealing that ChatGPT Enterprise is saving employees nearly an hour a day, and Apple's market boost as investors grow tired of AI hype. These stories together reveal where work is breaking, where it's evolving, and what leaders need to pay attention to in order to stay future-ready. ---------- Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—preorder a copy here: 8EXlaws.com
Automation and AI are rewriting the rules of work, leaving CHROs grappling with a challenge to preserve humanity that fuels innovation. When technology starts moving faster than people, the real test of leadership begins. In this episode, CHRO Katie Watson shares how she's leading an AI revolution without losing the heart of business at Western Digital, a 55-year-old tech company powering the world's data. We explore how Western Digital is modernizing every corner of its workforce—from fully automated "lights-out" factories in Thailand to AI-assisted engineering and HR systems—while protecting what makes work meaningful. Katie shares how upskilling programs have helped thousands of employees transition into higher-value roles, why "AI champions" are key to driving adoption, and how human connection must remain at the center of digital change. She also discusses how HR and business leaders can govern AI responsibly, build comfort with experimentation, and help employees see technology as a collaborator rather than a threat. The tension between innovation and humanity begins as the AI takeover lingers, but the future of work isn't about choosing between people or technology, but learning how they can grow stronger together. ________________ 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/ Future-ready organizations are built, not hoped for. My latest book, -The 8 Laws of Employee Experience shows how. Preorder here: 8EXLaws.com
December 5, 2025: SHRM reports that AI is accelerating the collapse of traditional entry-level roles, forcing companies to rethink how they develop early-career talent. A WIRED investigation reveals what happened when a startup tried replacing employees with AI agents—and why it quickly fell apart. The CEO of NTT DATA tells Reuters that the current AI bubble will be short-lived before a much larger wave of transformation. A new Times of India story shows that young remote workers are losing career momentum due to reduced visibility and fewer opportunities for mentorship. The Hechinger Report uncovers why "no degree required" is still largely a myth as employers continue to favor credentialed candidates. And a new Challenger report finds more than 71,000 layoffs as companies restructure around evolving skill needs. ---------- Stop patching problems and start designing an intentional workplace. The 8 Laws of Employee Experience gives you the how. Preorder your copy: 8EXlaws.com
December 4, 2025: In today's episode of Future Ready Today, I break down six major stories shaping the future of work. Nvidia's Jensen Huang pushes back on AI job doom while Geoffrey Hinton warns that massive unemployment may be unavoidable. AI is quietly restructuring the rhythm of the workweek, RTO mandates are tightening as employees turn to "microshifting," Microsoft moves aggressively toward an AI-native workforce, and Accenture partners with OpenAI to transform consulting at scale. Each story includes a futurist lens to help leaders decode the signals behind the headlines and build a truly future-ready organization. ---------- If you lead people, you design experiences—do it on purpose with The 8 Laws of Employee Experience. Preorder now: 8EXlaws.com
December 3, 2025: Today's episode breaks down six major shifts shaping the future of work: companies turning frontline employees into TikTok influencers, robotics transforming scientific labs into fully automated discovery engines, and the rapid rise of career minimalism as workers reject traditional career ladders. Instagram orders a full five-day return to the office while eliminating recurring meetings, Sundar Pichai warns that AI will disrupt every profession—including his own—and new research from Anthropic reveals how AI is reshaping engineering work from the inside. These stories show how culture, technology, and talent expectations are being rewritten in real time. ---------- Looking for what actually moves the needle on performance and retention? It's in The 8 Laws of Employee Experience. Preorder here: 8EXlaws.com
December 2, 2025: Today's episode breaks down several major developments shaping the future of work: new research showing CHROs under intense pressure, employees quietly using AI to automate half their workload, Satya Nadella calling empathy a workplace superpower, Accenture rebranding 800,000 employees as "reinventors," OpenAI declaring a "code red" as Gemini gains ground, and a surprising case of an employee using AI to fake an injury that HR approved instantly. I break down what each of these signals means for leaders, HR teams, and anyone building a future-ready organization. ---------- Future-ready organizations are built, not hoped for. My latest book, -The 8 Laws of Employee Experience shows how. Preorder here: 8EXlaws.com
While technology is transforming work, the real competitive advantage lies in human curiosity, creativity, and connection—because AI can optimize efficiency, but only people can create joy. In this episode, Deborah Borg, Chief People and Culture Officer at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), joins us to explore how one of the world's most innovative companies is reimagining talent strategy through the fusion of AI, analytics, and human creativity. Deborah shares how IFF—home to the scents, flavors, and enzymes found in everyday products—builds its people strategy around both science and soul. She walks through the entire talent lifecycle, from AI-assisted recruiting and predictive analytics in engagement to apprenticeship-based mentoring for niche roles like perfumers and scientists. The conversation unpacks how IFF balances technology with human judgment, ensuring cultural fit and creativity remain central as AI accelerates hiring and decision-making. Deborah also reveals how IFF's cross-functional AI Council governs innovation responsibly, enabling experimentation without losing the human touch. ------------ 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/ Future-ready organizations are built, not hoped for. My latest book, -The 8 Laws of Employee Experience shows how. Preorder here: 8EXLaws.com
November 26, 2025: Today's episode breaks down six major stories shaping the future of work: Clifford Chance cuts 10% of business services roles, HP slashes up to 6,000 jobs as it embeds AI, a new survey shows worker anxiety at record highs, McKinsey says humans and AI agents will work side-by-side, new UK data warns 3 million low-skilled jobs could vanish by 2035, and a Las Vegas report predicts up to 95% of hospitality jobs may be automated. I unpack what these signals mean for leaders navigating AI disruption, workforce redesign, and the changing psychology of work. ---------- Future-ready organizations are built, not hoped for. My latest book, -The 8 Laws of Employee Experience shows how. Preorder here: 8EXlaws.com
November 25, 2025: Fast Company reports that on-site workers are experiencing significantly worse "Sunday Scaries" than remote employees. The Wall Street Journal highlights how the U.S. economy is becoming increasingly dependent on corporate AI spending. Fortune features Slack's cofounder warning that employees are drowning in "fake work" that looks productive but delivers little value. Amazon's latest layoffs are tied directly to automation and robotics. The WSJ outlines the next wave of office design focused on biophilic spaces, flexible collaboration zones, and personalized climate control. And Moderna has merged its technology and HR departments, creating a unified workforce systems model that signals a major structural shift in how organizations will operate in the AI era. ---------- Future-ready organizations are built, not hoped for. My latest book, -The 8 Laws of Employee Experience shows how. Preorder here: 8EXlaws.com
When a leader reaches the top, the climb doesn't stop, it just changes shape. The real challenge isn't getting to the corner office, it's knowing how to stay relevant, resilient, and ready for what's next. The best CEOs don't just lead well once; they lead well through change, mastering the cycles of their own growth. In this episode, I sit down with Kurt Strovink, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and Global Head of McKinsey's CEO Practice, to break down the cyclical nature of leadership from his book A CEO for All Seasons: Mastering the Cycles of Leadership. Drawing from research on 200 high-performing CEOs, we explore the four seasons of leadership—stepping up, starting strong, staying ahead, and sending it forward—and what distinguishes those who sustain excellence over time. We dive into how cognitive diversity strengthens decision-making, servant leadership keeps power grounded in purpose, and renewal strategies prevent success from breeding complacency. We also explore how great CEOs develop resilience under pressure and create leadership factories that outlast them. This episode offers CHROs a playbook to help leaders evolve through every phase of their journey, and build organizations capable of thriving through every season of change. ------------ 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/ Looking for what actually moves the needle on performance and retention? It's in The 8 Laws of Employee Experience. Preorder here: 8EXLaws.com
November 20, 2025: This episode breaks down six major stories shaping the future of work and the workplace in 2025. A new study reveals the rise of "Cold Work"—a breakdown of trust between employees and managers marked by hidden behaviors, disengagement, and rising hostility. Google CEO Sundar Pichai makes headlines by claiming the CEO role may be "one of the easier things" for AI to replace, adding fuel to the debate about automation and leadership. The Wall Street Journal reports that the AI boom has become "the most joyless tech revolution ever," with worker anxiety rising even as tech stocks soar. New research from Northeastern shows that workers overwhelmingly prefer retraining over safety nets when facing AI disruption. A delayed U.S. jobs report presents a murky economic picture, combining unexpected job growth with a rising unemployment rate. Meanwhile, Verizon announces 13,000 layoffs, underscoring the turbulence across major industries. ------ If you lead people, you design experiences—do it on purpose with The 8 Laws of Employee Experience. Preorder now: https://bit.ly/8exlaws
November 19, 2025: Amazon and Target stumble through chaotic new layoff tactics, Sundar Pichai warns that the AI boom may be tipping into irrational exuberance, and U.S. and European banks reveal two very different—yet equally successful—approaches to return-to-office. We also unpack the alarming collapse of foundational math skills on college campuses, why leaders are outsourcing performance reviews to AI, and why Gen Z's double-major explosion may matter less than what they can actually show and build. ----------- Looking for what actually moves the needle on performance and retention? It's in The 8 Laws of Employee Experience. Preorder here: https://bit.ly/8exlaws
Novemner 18, 2025: Today's episode breaks down seven of the most important stories shaping the future of work. We explore why AI adoption is stalling inside organizations—and why companies are turning to internal influencers to drive real behavior change. We look at the surge in "ghost job" postings that are distorting the labor market and frustrating job seekers, and we explore the surprising history of the 40-hour workweek and whether it still makes sense in the age of AI. Next, we dive into brand-new data from Glassdoor's Worklife Trends 2026 report, which reveals rising distrust in leadership, declining career visibility, and how early-career workers are reshaping expectations. We also unpack a Guardian story showing that criticism of Gen Z is nothing new—it's a historical pattern that repeats in every era of disruption. We then examine why Big Tech companies are cutting jobs despite record profits and record AI investment, and we close with an Inc. story about an "AI error" that turned out to be human error—a reminder that the biggest risks of automation come from governance, not algorithms. If you want to understand the signals, trends, and shifts reshaping the future of work, this episode connects all the dots. Future-ready organizations are built, not hoped for. My latest book, -The 8 Laws of Employee Experience shows how. Preorder here: https://bit.ly/8exlaws
Growth tests the soul of every organization. As companies expand, consistency often replaces compassion—but CAVA proves you can scale without losing humanity. With 400 restaurants and 12,000 team members, CAVA has built a culture that's as grounded as it is consistent through a people framework rooted in heart, health, and humanity. In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Costanza, Chief People Officer of CAVA, to unpack exactly how they've done it—diving into their MVC framework (Mission, Values, and Competencies) that turns ideals into action. We explore their recognition systems like MVC Awards and Value Cards, the CCT Program that trains leaders as culture coaches, and Impact Plans that replace performance reviews with real-time growth. Kelly also shares how CAVA brings connection to life through the Love Button and Allies in Motion (AIM) programs, integrates culture across the employee lifecycle, and balances AI innovation with human warmth. This episode offers every CHRO a practical look at how to bring values to life, connect them to performance, and make culture come alive. ________________ 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/ Future-ready organizations are built, not hoped for. My latest book, -The 8 Laws of Employee Experience shows how. Preorder here: 8EXLaws.com
November 14, 2025: Today's episode breaks down six major stories shaping the future of work and employee experience. We look at how unclear corporate policies are pushing employees into a shadow AI underground, why Meta is rewriting performance reviews around AI-driven impact, and how higher education is scrambling to rebuild workforce pathways for an AI-first world. We also explore why companies predict the toughest job market in years for the Class of 2026, Silicon Valley's renewed push for universal basic income as automation accelerates, and the rise of "polyworking" as more people juggle multiple jobs to survive economic pressure. These stories reveal the trends, tensions, and emerging signals leaders need to watch to stay future-ready. Quick heads-up: my new book, The 8 Laws of Employee Experience, is a practical playbook for building an environment where people do their best work—preorder a copy here: https://bit.ly/8exlaws
November 13, 2025: Ford's CEO warns that the U.S. is entering a skilled-trades crisis as thousands of high-paying technical jobs sit vacant. Elon Musk's unprecedented trillion-dollar compensation package reveals the extreme performance targets Tesla must hit—ranging from 20 million vehicles a year to the deployment of a million robots. Glassdoor releases its top workplace trends for 2026, highlighting the rise of transparency, internal mobility, and human-centric leadership. And new reporting from The Wall Street Journal shows that skills-based hiring is fading as companies quietly return to college-degree requirements. Stop patching problems and start designing an intentional workplace. The 8 Laws of Employee Experience gives you the how. Preorder your copy: https://bit.ly/8exlaws
November 12, 2025: PwC's 2025 Global Workforce Survey exposes a growing gap between empowered and excluded workers. Across Australia, employees are already facing the reality of AI-driven job disruption. A WIRED feature explores a startup run entirely by AI agents—including executives—raising new questions about what leadership looks like when teammates aren't human. Amazon announces a massive $2.5 billion investment to upskill 50 million people worldwide. New research from Yahoo UK and Modern Sciences shows AI is reshaping pay and opportunity, rewarding those who work with technology instead of against it. And Honeywell CEO Vimal Kapur tells Fortune why AI isn't just a tool—it's a complete redesign of how business operates. If you lead people, you design experiences—do it on purpose with The 8 Laws of Employee Experience. Preorder now: https://bit.ly/8exlaws
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Jacob really enjoyed your conversation with Dr. Goleman!
why 35 h a week isn't a good idea?
Great massage! but turn down that background music please:)
super interesting! thanks Jacob
great Episode!