ExecutiveEDGE Podcast

Inflation is putting pressure on corporate America. But strong demand may be helping companies push back. From rising fuel and freight costs to more expensive raw materials, health benefits and real estate, executives are becoming increasingly vocal about the financial challenges facing their businesses heading into 2027. In this episode of the ExecutiveEDGE Podcast, we examine recent economic data and third-quarter earnings commentary highlighted by Geert De Lombaerde's coverage to explore where inflation is hitting hardest, how businesses are responding and why strong customer demand is helping some companies protect their margins. Can businesses continue passing along rising costs without weakening demand? And what happens if that pricing power starts to fade? Subscribe to ExecutiveEDGE Follow ExecutiveEDGE LinkedIn Facebook  X 

Are you leading with conviction — or just performing confidence? Executives are often expected to project certainty, even when they're navigating unfamiliar challenges or questioning their own decisions. But that pressure to appear confident can have consequences for organizational culture, employee trust and strategic decision-making. In this episode of the ExecutiveEDGE Podcast, Geert De Lombaerde's article shares a conversation with Glenn Llopis, entrepreneur, author and advisor to Fortune 500 companies, about why leaders fall into the trap of performing confidence and how they can break the cycle. From learning to say "I don't know" to understanding the difference between conviction and stubbornness, Llopis shares practical ways leaders can build more honest, resilient organizations. Because leadership isn't about looking like you have all the answers. It's about knowing what to do when you don't. Subscribe to ExecutiveEDGE Follow ExecutiveEDGE LinkedIn Facebook  X 

Good vibes in the boardroom. What could go wrong? After a year of economic uncertainty, CEOs and CFOs appear to be feeling better about 2027. Recent executive surveys show improving confidence, plans for more hiring and capital spending, and encouraging signs that AI investments are beginning to deliver results. In this episode of the ExecutiveEDGE Podcast, Geert De Lombaerde's article explores what's driving the optimism, how businesses are preparing for growth and why inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and higher financing costs could still complicate the outlook. Are economic conditions getting better, or have executives simply become better at navigating uncertainty? Subscribe to ExecutiveEDGE Follow ExecutiveEDGE LinkedIn Facebook  X 

What if one of AI's biggest business benefits isn't doing work faster, but helping executives see problems coming before they happen? From cybersecurity threats and financial anomalies to supply chain disruptions, AI is opening new possibilities for how organizations anticipate and manage risk. In this episode of the ExecutiveEDGE Podcast, Geert De Lombaerde's article explores why companies investing in AI-powered risk management may be gaining a competitive advantage, why human oversight remains essential and how leaders can begin putting these capabilities to work. Because the ability to anticipate disruption — rather than simply react to it — could become an increasingly valuable business advantage. Read the article The Case For Adding AI to Your Risk Management Subscribe to ExecutiveEDGE Follow ExecutiveEDGE LinkedIn Facebook  X 

As executives plan for 2027, growth is only part of the equation. How do you protect profitability when costs remain under pressure? How do you make sure your strongest performers are actually prepared to manage? And if AI is improving productivity, why aren't employees necessarily experiencing less work? On this episode of the ExecutiveEDGE Podcast, Abby White and Geert De Lombaerde examine three leadership challenges shaping the year ahead: protecting margins, building a stronger management bench and making sure AI creates real capacity rather than simply higher expectations. Because a stronger top line doesn't necessarily mean stronger margins. A great individual contributor doesn't automatically become a great manager. And AI productivity gains mean a lot less if they simply translate into more work. Episode Resources Economist: 2027 Success Predicated on Protecting Margins and Preparing for More Inflation Geert De Lombaerde The Hidden Pitfalls of Promoting Based on Performance Alone Bridget McCrea AI Isn’t Letting Workers Off the Hook Yet. Why Centering People Matters Even As The Tech Matures. Geert De Lombaerde Subscribe to ExecutiveEDGE Follow ExecutiveEDGE LinkedIn Facebook  X