Atif Rafiq’s remarkable career journey - from early tech roles to pioneering the Chief Digital Officer position - offers a masterclass in embracing change, managing calculated risks, and harnessing collective intelligence to drive impactful decisions. Emphasizing the value of vulnerability, Atif underscores how acknowledging setbacks can elevate one's leadership prowess. His insights on integrating AI into organizational workflows and cultivating agile, exploratory decision-making processes provide a roadmap for future-proofing businesses in a rapidly evolving landscape.
This episode of C-suite Conversations features an insightful conversation with Libor Michalek, the President and Director of Affirm. Libor shares his extensive experience building and scaling successful startups, offering advice on what to look for when pursuing a big idea, the importance of building the right team and culture, and the challenges of managing hypergrowth. He emphasizes the value of being deliberate about decision-making, staying true to your company's mission, and leveraging your unique strengths as a leader.
There is value in moving outside your comfort zone and the functional area of your work to gain a deeper understanding of the business as a whole. Sanofi Chief Learning Officer Wanda Shoer joins C-suite Conversations to share how she intentionally works to be a more well-rounded leader. Wanda suggests challenging the status quo and driving innovation, even in highly regulated industries like healthcare and finance. She emphasizes asking thoughtful questions and envisioning the ideal future state and speaks to the importance of honesty about what you know and don't know, bringing enthusiasm and energy, and ensuring everyone enjoys the journey.
Be kind, be fast, and be disruptive. This is a glimpse into the key takeaways offered up by Brandtech Group Founder and CEO David Jones. David provides a compelling overview of how generative AI is poised to revolutionize marketing and business, describing it as potentially "bigger than the industrial revolution." He outlines several key reasons why generative AI will be a game-changer, including the massive investments from tech giants, the surging interest and valuations from investors, and the rapid adoption by consumers. David emphasizes that generative AI is not just a future possibility, but is already being leveraged by leading brands today to create content and ads faster, cheaper, and more effectively.
When harnessed effectively and in symphony, trust and ambition can elevate a company to new heights. The team at FranklinCovey knows that a high-trust culture is the foundation for a successful organization, and the same value is withheld by Mark Douglas in his work as the Founder and CEO of MNTN. Mark provides advice for leaders looking to spur innovation and progress in their organizations, emphasizing the need to identify and empower the "chief innovator" and to be willing to let go of tasks that others can handle better.
Follow the journey through Tim Massa’s impressive career, from his early days at Procter & Gamble to his transformative experience as an expatriate in Poland, and finally to his current role leading Kroger's people strategy as SVP and Chief People Officer. Tim shares valuable insights on the importance of developing talent, building a strong organizational culture, and approaching challenges with humility and adaptability. He emphasizes the significance of aligning purpose, values, and business priorities, and how this has been instrumental in Kroger's success, even during turbulent times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Heather Stefanski, Partner and Chief Learning and Talent Officer at McKinsey, joins the C-suite Conversations podcast to share strategies McKinsey & Company employs to develop top talent. In addition to talking about how McKinsey cultivates a “skills-focused development culture,” Heather discusses the importance of being curious, staying humble, and continuously learning throughout one's career, regardless of career stage.
This episode of C-suite Conversations features an insightful discussion with Daniel Domenech, the Chief Talent Officer at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Dan shares his diverse career journey, spanning multiple industries including manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and technology. He emphasizes the importance of embracing change, continual learning, and leveraging mentorship to navigate professional growth. Dan also highlights HPE's focus on fostering an inclusive culture where employees can bring their authentic selves to work.
Through his roles across diverse industries and geographies, Uxio Malvido has gained deep insights into the universal human needs that transcend cultures - the importance of empathy, relationships, feeling part of something meaningful, and purpose in work. The Chief Human Resources Officer for the World Economic Forum discusses the critical link between leadership and culture, and the efforts he is leading to develop self-aware, collaborative leaders who can inspire teams and drive collective success.
Learn how to make the seemingly impossible possible from this engaging and energetic conversation with Dr. Wendy Walsh, Chief Learning Officer for Air Education Training and Command. Throughout her career, Dr. Walsh has intentionally emphasized the importance of bringing people together, creating shared understanding, and enabling collaboration to achieve great things. As a leader, Dr. Walsh highlights the value of self-awareness, situational awareness, and creating psychologically caring environments where people feel supported and able to openly share their struggles and needs. She stresses the importance of balancing people-focused leadership with a clear sense of purpose and meaningful work, rather than seeing it as a simple trade-off.
Shared expectations are the root of all productive relationships. That is one of several impactful truths shared in this C-suite Conversations episode, featuring Utz Brands CEO Howard Friedman. Howard emphasizes the importance of goal-setting, alignment, and accountability across the organization. He stresses the need to keep goals active and alive through regular check-ins and a willingness to ask for help when off-track. Building effective teams and breaking down silos is a constant focus, as he emphasizes the importance of establishing norms, empowerment, and accountability as critical to fostering productive collaboration.
At Natori, East meets West and passion meets fashion. Join Natori President Ken Natori as he and C-suite Conversations host Patrick Leddin discuss his career journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Ken reflects on how he was able to make his own mark on the company, the need to continuously pivot and adapt in a competitive market, and the necessity of having a genuine passion for what you do.
In his final episode as host of C-suite Conversations, Scott Miller reflects on a key lesson he took away from the more than 100 interviews he's done. In addition to a focus on the importance of developing and fostering effective communication skills, Scott emphasizes a lesson he gleaned on the necessity of developing the ability to critically evaluate information and discern fact from fiction in an era of increasing misinformation. He closes by handing the proverbial baton to long-time friend and colleague, Patrick Leddin, who will be taking over as the host of C-suite Conversations moving forward.
Join Teach for America CEO Elisa Villanueva Beard as she shares the inspirational story of her personal journey, from growing up in a low-income community in Texas to becoming a leader in the mission to provide educational equity for all students. Elisa walks through her own path to Teach for America, sharing the importance of continuously assessing your team and being willing to make changes to have the right people in the right roles.
You can't lose if you don't quit. That's one of many valuable truths brought to by Leila Hormozi in her episode of C-Suite Conversations. The CEO of Acquisition.com shares her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of being willing to adapt and change quickly to succeed. She also shares what she has learned about culture, system creation, leadership growth, and the importance of being a team player.
Avoid your next career implosion with tactics and practices discussed with McGraw Hill Chief Human Resources and Communication Officer Jeannine Tait. Jeannine emphasizes the importance of listening and understanding individual strengths in leadership roles, and digs into some things we can all do to be more intentional about our career journey. Jeanine also provides insights into the mission and digital transformation of McGraw Hill, highlighting their commitment to personalized learning.
Creating impact where its needed most is a huge focus for Joanna Sabato, Chief Global Marketing and Communications Officer for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Joanna shares her journey from a career in advertising to her current role, where she combines her business acumen, marketing skills, and passion for a worthy cause. Joanna discusses the competencies needed for success in the C-suite, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and continuous learning in the ever-evolving world of marketing and communications. She also highlights the incredible work of Ronald McDonald House Charities, providing support and accommodations for families with seriously ill children. This episode is a powerful reminder of the positive impact that can be made when businesses and individuals come together to make a difference in the lives of others.
In this milestone 100th episode of Franklin Covey's C-suite Conversations podcast, host Scott Miller sits down with the CEO of Franklin Covey, Paul Walker. With nearly 25 years of experience at the company, Paul shares his journey from an inside sales role to becoming the leader of the most trusted and influential leadership development firm in the world. Paul provides valuable insights into creating high-performing cultures, solving organizational challenges, and the future of FranklinCovey.
Alexander MacDonald, the Chief Economist at NASA joins us to we delve into the fascinating world of space exploration and the role of economics in shaping NASA's future. From discussing the potential risks of conflict in space to the importance of international cooperation, Alex provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of space exploration. Discover how NASA is navigating the shift towards commercial partnerships and the exciting Artemis campaign to return to the moon. With anecdotes from Alex's own journey and his passion for economic history, this episode offers a unique perspective on the intersection of economics and space exploration.
In this episode of FranklinCovey's C-suite Conversations with Scott Miller, Scott sits down with John Hewko, the CEO and leader of Rotary International. They delve into the relevance of Rotary in today's world and the incredible work they are doing globally. From networking and professional development to community service and their mission to eradicate polio, Rotary has evolved into a powerful force for good. John shares his personal connection to the cause and the impact Rotary has had on his life. They also discuss the current value proposition of joining Rotary and how the organization has attracted a diverse and vibrant group of professionals.