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

Randy Parker is the CEO of Hyundai Motor America and in today’s episode we go over what it takes to get into a senior leadership role and dispel some of the myths of leadership without sugarcoating! We'll talk about how to get your people to follow you as a leader, the importance of coaching and mentoring as well as hard work and determination, and some key performance indicators (KPIs) that can help leaders evaluate their effectiveness. We will also explore how leaders should be thinking about the future to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.   ________________ 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 want to know what separates the most successful leaders from the rest? In today’s Leadership Spark, I unpack the secret sauce behind the world’s most successful leaders drawing on my interviews with best-selling authors and distinguished leadership experts. We will explore the top mindsets and skills leaders must have to need to have that mark a truly effective leader, with a peek into how big players at companies like Oracle, Unilever, and MasterCard handle the blend of global mindset, servant leadership, and technology in their roles. After listening to this episode, you’ll learn how to tweak your leadership style and make a bigger impact on your team and organization. ________________ 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/

Leadership isn’t just about giving orders or having the most persuasive ideas. Fostering an environment where every voice is heard and valued is just as important in their role. Cass Sunstein, Harvard Law School Professor and former senior advisor in the Obama administration, points out why leaders who talk less often lead more effectively. In this engaging episode, Cass shares transformative experiences from the White House, where silent observation led to breakthrough decisions. He explains how leaders can stifle innovation and decision-making by speaking too soon and why embracing a listening-first approach can unlock a team’s full potential. Tune in to learn how stepping back as a leader can propel your team forward and why sometimes, the best action you can take is to simply listen.   ________________ 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/

Ever had to navigate a tough talk at work? Whether it’s about performance issues or current events, we all face challenging conversations. It turns out that mishandling these conversations can lead to more workplace stress and unresolved problems. But what if there’s a smarter way to handle them? In today’s Leadership Spark episode, we’ll break down the FLIPS method so you can start tackling tough talks with confidence. This strategy can turn dreaded discussions into opportunities for improvement and connection. ________________ 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/

Known for bestsellers like Profit First and The Pumpkin Plan, Mike Michalowicz is now transforming teams from good to great. In this episode, he dives into why rethinking money as a motivator can change your team’s focus from just getting paid to truly engaging and excelling. Mike also unpacks the dynamics between A, B, and C players and shows how tapping into this can supercharge team performance. He highlights the power of building trust and community at work, where shared experiences and the right kind of conflict can make team bonds stronger. Plus, he breaks down the FAST Model—Fit, Ability, Safety, and Ownership—sharing practical tips on how to use these elements to shake up your leadership style.Tune in to discover how these innovative approaches can help you create a team that’s truly unstoppable. ________________ 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/

Most of us have been taught to think of our careers as a ladder, moving from one job to the next. However, this traditional mindset is setting us up for failure. Nowadays, relying solely on job titles and roles is risky, as companies now prioritize skills like adaptability, communication, tech-savviness, and emotional intelligence. In today’s Leadership Spark, I explain why you need to reframe your career and share practical advice on identifying and leveraging your skills for career 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/

Think one-on-one meetings are just routine check-ins? When done right, meetings can be a game-changer for leaders and their teams driving employee engagement and retention. Steven Rogelberg, Professor of Organizational Science, Management, and Psychology at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, and author of “Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings” shares his insights on transforming leadership through one-on-one meetings. In today’s episode, Steve dives into the impact of one-on-one meetings on employee engagement and turnover. Steven explains the need for regular, predictable meetings and creating a psychologically safe environment. He also shares strategies like balancing short-term and long-term goals, avoiding micromanagement, asking probing questions, and setting a clear but flexible agenda. ________________ 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 leadership mean to you? In my journey interviewing 140 CEOs and surveying 14,000 employees for my best-selling book, "The Future Leader," I discovered that everyone has a slightly different view of what leadership entails. This diversity in understanding can lead to confusion and inconsistency in leadership styles within the same organization, sometimes causing conflict and dissatisfaction. What if we could all start from a common definition and customize from there? In today’s leadership spark, I offer a definition of leadership developed from patterns observed across numerous top executives. I discuss how adopting a clear definition of leadership can align your team's efforts and enhance overall 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/

AI has reshaped the business world in the last 24 months, compelling industries to rethink how they operate. Dartmouth professor Vijay Govindarajan dives into this topic, discussing how to use AI and real-time data strategically. In this episode, he introduces "Fusion Strategy," which integrates digital technology with traditional business processes. We explore the role of data graphs, used by giants like Google and Amazon, to track and leverage consumer data and how companies must evolve to stay competitive in this digital landscape. Vijay specifically focused on innovation in 4 key innovation areas: Brilliant Machines, Remarkable Results, Smart Systems, and Custom Solutions. If you’re looking to grasp the future of business and the necessary leadership skills to navigate it, this is an episode you wouldn’t want to miss.   ________________ 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 does throwing perks at employees not create lasting engagement? In today’s workplace, many companies try to woo and retain top talent with attractive perks like free food, unlimited vacation, and even on-site massages. However, the core problem is that perks do not address the fundamental aspects of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. What should companies focus on instead to foster a genuinely engaged workforce? In today’s leadership spark, I talk about why perks are not a sustainable strategy and explore the deeper, more effective approach of focusing on employee experience.   ________________ 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/

Ali Abdaal is a former doctor turned productivity expert after he started posting videos online about how to study for medical exams. Today his Youtube channel has around 5.5 million subscribers and people from around the world tune in to hear his productivity tips. Today Ali is going to share how to identify productivity bottlenecks and ways to solve them, why intrinsic motivators are more powerful than extrinsic ones, the importance of NICE goals, and how to make work more enjoyable so that you can stay productive.   ________________ 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/

Most people want to get into a leadership role, yet few are actually able to do it. What’s the secret to success? I’ve interviewed and worked with thousands of leaders over the years and there 5 simple yet effective strategies that the world’s top leaders use to get ahead. In today’s leadership spark, I’ll break down what these strategies are including: taking initiative by tackling tough jobs, showing vulnerability to build trust, excelling at your current duties, shifting your focus on tasks to supporting your team, and being mindful of your self-image. Mastering these tips will help you stand out as a leader and move up in your career. ________________ 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 aims to maximize their potential and that of their teams, but mastering the complexities of human psychology is a formidable challenge. Dr. Michael Gervais is considered by many to be the world’s #1 performance psychologist focused on unlocking potential during high-pressure environments. From working with three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh and daredevil spaceman Felix Baumgartner who jumped from 120,000 feet, his techniques have proven effective across a spectrum of disciplines. In today’s episode we talk about why fearing others’ opinions can keep you from reaching your full potential, the dangers of tying your self-worth to performance metrics, and I’ll also share the things that make leaders feel most vulnerable at work and why.   ________________ 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 fast-paced work environment, the question of where to work from—home or office—can significantly impact your career trajectory. While remote work offers comfort and flexibility, spending time in the office could be your secret weapon for career advancement. In this episode of Leadership Spark, let’s talk about why office presence is crucial for those aiming for leadership roles and substantial career growth.  Based on insights from my recent conversations with business leaders and polls I conducted on LinkedIn, we explore the differences between mere productivity and true innovation and how being physically present in the office can enhance your visibility, foster meaningful connections, and open up leadership opportunities. ________________ 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 turning around a company, a team, or a person, but how do you actually do it? Oscar Munoz is the former CEO and Chairman of United Airlines and is responsible for one of the greatest turnarounds in airline history! In this episode he gets into the details and strategies he used to achieve success during his tenure. ________________ 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/

When Oscar Munoz took over as the CEO of United Airlines, the company was in complete chaos. There were issues with unions, the financials weren’t looking good, customer complaints were damaging the brand reputation, and the company had gone through 8 CEOs in 10 years! During his time as CEO he managed to turn things around, securing employee and customer loyalty and putting the airline back on track. In this episode we talk about what he did to make that turnaround  happen including: going on a company-wide listening tour, involving employees in the decision-making process and getting rid of leaders who didn’t align with company values. He’ll also share the terrifying story of his heart attack and how a flight attendant’s breakdown made him realize that things weren’t working.   ________________ 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/

Believe it or not you can have TOO MUCH EMPATHY. I know, it sounds strange to think about but after listening to today’s podcast you’ll see why. Even though your empathy is well-intentioned, doing it excessively can blur personal and professional boundaries. This can only make tough decisions harder and lead to personal burnout. It begins by differentiating between empathy and sympathy and then dives into the dangers of over-empathizing. I’ll also tackle the solution: practicing empathetic concern without absorbing others’ emotions and distributing empathy across your team to create a healthier, more sustainable work culture. ________________ 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 trying to driving innovation inside of their organizations, but that’s easier said than done. Uri Levine is the co-founder of Waze, which sold to Google for $1.1 billion. He’s also the first board member and investor of Moovit (Waze but public transportation) which Intel acquired for $4 billion! It’s safe to say that Uri knows a thing or two about innovation and building great products and companies. In today’s episode we will explore why it took Waze 4 years to reach “good enough” product market fit, why it’s more important to fall in love with a problem instead of a solution, how to manage the impact of fear on corporate innovation, how to apply an entrepreneur mindset inside of your company, and why firing is so crucial to business 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/

You’ve heard of IBM, but did you know that it was once on the verge of bankruptcy? One man, a cookie salesman, was able to turn the company around and keep it from collapsing. In today’s leadership spark, we’ll explore the remarkable turnaround of IBM in the 1990s under the leadership of Lou Gerstner, Former CEO of IBM. Lou, an outsider with a background in consumer goods and financial services, took the helm and transformed the company. He restructured IBM, shifting its focus from hardware to services and software, and revitalized its corporate culture, steering it from near bankruptcy to becoming a global leader in technology services. This story is a powerful example of how visionary leadership and strategic decision-making can navigate a company through trying times and lead it to 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 feel like people don’t want to work anymore? In today’s episode Jason and I have a friendly spar on what’s going on with today’s workforce and if the our work ethic is in collective decline. We also explore how social media trends are shaping the workforce, the importance of focusing on career growth, and four phases of change that we all go through: panic, adaptation, accepting a new normal, and a reluctance to go back to the status quo. Jason is the Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine and author of “Build for Tomorrow: An Action Plan for Embracing Change, Adapting Fast, and Future-Proofing Your Career.”   ________________ 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/