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!
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/
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/
945 Episodes
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What’s it like to lead at the top of some of the world’s most iconic brands? Jeff Kindler, former CEO of Pfizer, has been there, done that. From handling high-pressure situations at GE under the legendary Jack Welch to leading massive change at Pfizer, Jeff has seen all the intense scrutiny and stress and was in the room when decisions were made that shaped entire industries. In this episode, he shares what he learned from handling public pressure, how he managed the clash of corporate cultures, and why being a CEO isn’t for the faint of heart. He shares major challenges he faced during his tenure at Pfizer, such as expiring patents, product recalls, R&D setbacks, and regulatory scrutiny. Jeff reflects on his leadership journey at Pfizer on the pressures of being a CEO, including mistakes made, stress management, and the impact on personal life and relationships. He also discusses the need for resilience and balancing professional and personal life. We look into why leaders might be getting a little “too soft” in today’s corporate world, what it’s really like when everyone is gunning for your job, and how to keep your head up when the stakes are sky-high. ________________ 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/
The corner office, big bonuses, and calling the shots can’t sugarcoat what being a CEO is like. The reality is far more complex—and often more challenging—than it looks from the outside. What do you think is the hardest part about being at the top? In today’s Leadership Spark, I dive into the untold challenges CEOs face that nobody talks about. From the crushing loneliness of having fewer peers as you climb higher, to the overwhelming decision fatigue from making countless high-stakes choices, being a CEO isn’t for the faint of heart. And let’s not forget: every word you say carries immense weight—one casual comment can snowball into unexpected changes across the company. Staying grounded amidst all this is easier said than done. So, why does no one tell you about these challenges before you get the job? And more importantly, how can you prepare yourself to handle them? Tune in to the full episode to find out. ________________ 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/
It’s one thing to talk about being open and authentic, but how do you actually do it without losing your team’s respect and trust? This is a conversation I had with with Robert Glazer on his Elevate Podcast. In this episode, I explain the difference between just being vulnerable and leading with vulnerability. We explore why so many leaders today are struggling with decision-making and accountability, and how the post-pandemic era has challenged many leaders to redefine their roles. We’ll get into why having too much psychological safety can actually backfire, why flexible work policies need clear boundaries and standards to succeed, and how you can balance being empathetic with holding people accountable in your organization. I also share insights from the 100 CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading with Vulnerability, on how to handle that fine line between showing your human side and maintaining confidence and authority. ________________ 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 leaders neglect self-compassion? We often talk about leadership in terms of driving results, motivating teams, and making an impact. But one crucial aspect is often overlooked: self-compassion. Leaders are constantly focused on their external impact, yet managing their internal world is equally important. Without self-compassion, leaders risk burnout, poor decision-making, and strained relationships. How can you inspire and lead others when you're constantly battling your own inner critic? In today's Leadership Spark, we'll talk about how to embrace self-compassion to lead more effectively. Self-compassion is not about letting yourself off the hook—it's about recognizing your challenges, learning from them, and treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend. ________________ 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/
The leadership landscape is shifting under our feet, and it’s leaving many leaders scrambling to keep up. I recently sat down with Professor Joe Fuller on the Harvard Business School Managing the Future of Work Podcast to dig into some of the biggest issues leaders face today. We covered everything from the ongoing debate over hybrid work to the rapid rise of AI, and how it’s changing the way we hire and lead, and the shifting expectations of employees in 2024. In our chat, we got into why getting people back to the office is so tricky, why AI might not take your job but someone who knows how to use it better could, and why leading with vulnerability is more crucial than ever. Plus, we didn’t shy away from the hard truths, like why some companies are seeing productivity declines with hybrid work while others aren't, and whether employee well-being programs are actually hitting the mark or just missing their intended goals. If you’re looking for some real talk on how to lead in 2024 and beyond, this episode is for you. ________________ 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/
The old thinking of being a strong leader means never showing weakness is getting way too old. Too many leaders are so busy trying to be “perfect” that they end up stuck in the old version of themselves, while the world zooms past them. Refusing to acknowledge your gaps actually makes you a worse version of yourself over time. You might think you’re already doing great, but if you’re not constantly updating and improving yourself—what Aart de Geus, founder and chair of Synopsys, calls moving from version N to version N+1—you’re actually falling behind. In today's Leadership Spark, I dive into one of the most misunderstood yet essential aspects of leadership—leading with vulnerability. I’ll share insights on why acknowledging your gaps and actively working to close them is the key to unlocking your potential and driving real business performance. ________________ 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 does it take to be a successful leader today? In this episode, Kurt Strovink, Head of Global CEO Services at McKinsey, explores the evolving challenges of leadership. We’ll discover why leadership has become more complex in recent years and how leaders can stay ahead by embracing human-centric leadership and vulnerability. Kurt delves into balancing purpose with business demands, offering strategies like integrating sustainability and innovation and asking the “Four W” questions to create a meaningful workplace. He also discusses the shift from transactional to holistic learning through peer coaching and reflective spaces, the power of role modeling, and the impact of storytelling. Listeners will learn about the importance of empowered networks, managing leadership loneliness, and why energy maintenance is crucial. ________________ 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 your organization struggling to drive innovation? It may be because your employees are hesitant to take risks. Simply telling them to “take more risks” isn’t enough; they need the right environment and support. They may avoid risk-taking because of fear of failure or lack of recognition, leading to stagnation and missed opportunities. In today’s Leadership Spark, I outline three strategies to encourage risk-taking and drive innovation: creating psychological safety, rewarding desired behaviors, and providing resources and support. You’ll learn how to create a culture that promotes innovation through calculated risk-taking by implementing these strategies. ________________ 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 does it take to build a century-old company that has never laid off a single employee? In this episode, we’ll explore how CEO Melanie Dulbecco grew Torani into a $500 million powerhouse with a people-first leadership approach. Melanie shares the secrets behind the company’s remarkable history and its unwavering commitment to giving employees agency, control, and choice in their work. She mentions why they replaced old-school performance reviews with a system focused on growth and development, known as “Contribution Management,” and how they’ve created a culture of internal mobility, or “Career Mixology,” where employees can explore different roles within the company. We also dig into their unique compensation strategy, featuring above-market pay and employee ownership, which kept their employees engaged and loyal. Plus, Melanie shares her take on Gen Z’s work ethic and how Torani used futurist thinking and scenario planning to foresee a potential 20% market drop during COVID-19, ensuring stability and a commitment to 100% employment. ________________ 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/
Imagine running a marathon only to find that the person who strolled in hours later gets the same prize as you. This is exactly the problem with metaphorical participation trophies in the workplace. What happens when high performers see no difference in recognition between their hard work and others’ minimal efforts? Equalizing rewards creates a false reality, diminishes motivation for top performers, fosters a culture of entitlement, and stifles improvement. In today’s Leadership Spark, we’ll discuss the importance of performance-based recognition, understand why real rewards should reflect real performance, and emphasize that true achievements come from hard work and results. Let’s advocate for a workplace where effort and excellence are genuinely rewarded to create an environment that encourages continuous growth and dedication. ________________ 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 your company still stuck in the same old top-down management approach? It’s time to ditch that old playbook. In this episode, Frederic Laloux, Author of “Reinventing Organizations” and Co-founder of The Week, discusses why organizations need to reinvent traditional management approaches in today’s fast-paced world. He breaks down why outdated hierarchical structures often fail to engage employees and the flawed mentality of working solely for a paycheck. We also dig into the evolution of management models and how we’ve moved from rigid structures to more dynamic, people-first approaches. Frederic also discusses real-world examples of self-managing companies where teams thrive without the usual layers of management. He also shares stories from companies like Bayer and Zappos about the challenges and successes in adopting new management styles like “holacracy.” ________________ 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/
We often hear the famous words "age doesn't matter,” but it’s not really an easy thing to accept in the context of leadership. In today's Leadership Spark, we’ll tackle this common concern: the unease of working under a leader who's younger than you. It's a frequent issue because we often equate age with experience. The situation becomes particularly challenging if the younger leader lacks the necessary skills. A younger leader who is adept, knowledgeable, and capable of motivating and challenging their team should be respected regardless of their age. Leadership effectiveness is about skill, vision, and interpersonal abilities, not the number of years one has lived. I explain why we should focus on these qualities rather than age. ________________ 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/
Culture is not a finite element but something we shape daily through our interactions. But how can we create a thriving culture if no one takes ownership of their role in shaping it? In this episode, Michael Weening, CEO of Calix, discusses how leaders can foster a culture of accountability and emphasize our individual responsibility for shaping culture. He also addresses the damaging effects of victimhood in leadership and the workplace, highlighting the importance of taking charge of one's career and how leaders should guide team members in setting realistic goals. Michael shares why the CEO’s job can be tough and how the servant leadership mindset is often lost. We also touch on the necessity and extremity of change, and dig into the trends of “quiet vacationing” and the benefits and challenges of a fully remote setup. ________________ This episode is sponsored by Calix, which helps broadband providers of all sizes simplify their operations, innovate for their subscribers, and grow value for their business and the communities they serve. Learn more at calix.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/
As we head into 2024, leaders are facing a landscape that’s changing faster than ever, and new challenges are on the rise. In today’s Leadership Spark, we’ll explore the eight leadership trends that every leader needs to watch out for this year along with some practical tips on how to handle the challenges that come with these trends. We’ll discuss embracing vulnerability, enhancing work ethic, prioritizing employee experience, focusing on skills rather than job titles, adapting to hybrid work environments, integrating AI and technology to humanize workplace interactions, addressing political, economic, and geopolitical issues, and thinking like a futurist. This episode will help prepare leaders to adapt to rapid changes in the workplace and global business 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/
What does the future hold for hiring practices in the age of artificial intelligence and evolving skill demands? In this episode, Joe Fuller, Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School, discusses the all-in economics of skill-based hiring, the current progress, challenges, and the importance of this hiring approach in the future, and real-world examples of this approach from companies like IBM. We also discuss the role of AI in HR, highlighting how combining tech with human intuition can lead to smarter decisions. We explore the potential of AI to transform hiring and internal talent mobility, while also addressing concerns about data accuracy and bias. We also tackle some big workforce trends like the declining workforce participation rate among prime working-age males, the rise of helicopter parenting, and parent accompaniment with Gen Z job applicants. ________________ 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/
1Have you heard the saying, “leadership isn’t about you?” That’s complete NONSENSE! Leaders like Satya Nadella and Tim Cook have dramatically transformed their companies, highlighting how leadership is very much about the individual at the helm. In today’s Leadership Spark, we’ll look into the personal role and impact of leaders, covering how their unique styles influence six key areas: setting vision, making decisions, shaping culture, managing change, inspiring others, and developing team members. These leaders prove that more than just facilitators, they are also crucial influencers whose visions significantly shape their organizations. ________________ 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/
Every leader is talking about implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), but making it work in the real world is a whole different challenge. In today’s episode, we look at the evolution and controversies surrounding DEI with Dr. Frank Dobbin, Sociology Department Chair at Harvard University and Author of “Getting to Diversity.” We explore starting with JFK’s 1961 order for affirmative action and moving through the impact of the George Floyd protests. We also discuss why corporate DEI programs get both support and backlash, touching on Elon Musk’s call to end DEI and the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action. Dr. Dobbin explains how DEI efforts democratize access to scarce resources like mentoring, and why it’s tough to balance the need for diverse teams with the goal of top performance. He critiques current DEI practices, highlighting why many traditional training programs fail and the importance of structural changes and inclusive recruitment. ________________ 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 should you address your team after a promotion? While acknowledging your inexperience or newness to the role can create a sense of authenticity and approachability, it is crucial to also demonstrate your commitment to growth and competence. In today’s Leadership Spark, I’ll show you how you can achieve this by outlining specific actions you are taking to improve your leadership skills, such as seeking mentorship, working with an executive coach, reading leadership books, and being open to feedback. You’ll learn how to build trust and psychological safety within the team and reassure team members of your capability and dedication to being an effective 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/
Tommy Mello is the founder of A1 Garage Doors, a $200 million home service business that is growing rapidly. In today’s episode he shares some of his early leadership mistakes and how building a strong team and getting the right mentors transformed his company. Tommy highlights how leaders can inspire hard work by aligning employee goals with the company’s vision. He shares his tough-love leadership approach while explaining the importance of caring about employees’ lives outside of work. ________________ 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 aware of the bad habits holding back your leadership? Many leaders focus on what they should start or keep doing to lead better, but they often overlook the bad habits they need to stop. Marshall Goldsmith, the world’s #1 Executive and CEO Coach, has pinpointed harmful behaviors that can sabotage your leadership’s effectiveness and your overall success. These habits can damage relationships and hold your team back, and many leaders don’t even realize the harm they’re causing. In today’s Leadership Spark, we’ll dive into the 10 things leaders should stop doing and why these behaviors are so damaging. You’ll also learn practical tips on how to break these bad habits. ________________ 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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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!