What does it really take to rise to the highest levels of leadership, and stay there? In this episode, I sit down with Mark Thompson, world’s #1 CEO coach and author of CEO Ready, to explore what to become a CEO-ready leader. We’ll look at the deeper work of top-most leadership: developing functional fluency, mastering seven leadership languages, and aligning your ambitions with the reality of what leadership demands. Mark shares the mindset and methods used by the world’s most successful executives, why building trust with your boss is a make-or-break move, and how to balance confident humility with productive paranoia. We dig deeper into the sacrifices leaders make, the importance of building credibility before asking for responsibility, and how to cultivate stakeholder alignment across functions, not just within your silo. If you're eyeing the next big step in your career, this episode will help prepare you to lead at the top.

________________

This episode is sponsored by Workhuman.

Here’s a good question for you: Who in your marketing department is a flight risk? How about: Where are your talent or skills gaps? Or: Which employees make up your next generation of leaders?

If you couldn’t answer any of these, then you need to check out Human Intelligence™, from Workhuman.

By combining AI with the rich data of their #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence unlocks insights and capabilities that redefine talent management, cultural transformation, and employee engagement.

Want to learn more? Go to workhuman.com and learn how today’s leading companies are turning AI into a force for good with Human Intelligence.

________________

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’ve made a huge leadership mistake and chances are, your organization is still making it. We’ve separated managers and leaders like they’re different species. One is focused on processes. The other on people. But that separation might be the very thing keeping your teams disengaged and your company stuck. In today’s Leadership Spark, I’m busting the outdated myth that leadership and management are two separate roles. I share a powerful story of a nuclear submarine captain that perfectly illustrates what happens when we train leaders to lead but forget to teach them how to manage. You’ll hear why giving managers leadership training won’t fix your ‘people’ problem and why the opposite approach just might.

________________

This episode is sponsored by Workhuman.

HR just changed for good with the introduction of Human Intelligence™.​
​

By combining AI and the uniquely authentic data of Workhuman’s #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence reveals previously unobtainable insights into skills, performance, culture and more.

Human Intelligence also helps coach employees on what good peer-to-peer recognition looks like, turning every “good job” into better engagement, retention, and wellbeing.

And it helps surface feel-good stories that illustrate the best of your company culture.

Want to learn more? Human Intelligence at Workhuman.com, and join their force for good.

________________

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 a Chief Human Resource Officer trying to find a meaningful and affordable peer group that's NOT stuck in the past? I'm glad you found this episode because you're about to discover a CHRO community that's building the future of work as we speak. After speaking with over 100 CHROs for my book on employee experience, I kept hearing the same frustrations about existing groups with overpriced memberships, bloated conferences, constant sales pitches, outdated content, and a total lack of real value. So I decided to do something about it. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on "Future of Work Leaders," a new community built for CHROs, by CHROs. It’s an intimate group focused on one thing only: insight-rich conversations for forward-thinking CHROs like you. If you're a CHRO who's done playing by old rules and wants to connect with other future-ready leaders from companies like Johnson & Johnson, Northrop Grumman, Dow, Amway, and more, consider this your invite.

________________

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/

Everyone’s arguing about remote vs. in-office. But what if we’ve been asking the wrong question all along? Dr. Nicholas Bloom, Professor of Economics at Stanford and the world’s most cited expert on hybrid work, joins to set the record straight—and clear up the way his research is being misquoted everywhere. In this episode, he debunks the biggest myths about remote work, explains why hybrid work has become the go-to model for most Fortune 500 companies, and breaks down what’s really behind Amazon and Jamie Dimon’s return-to-office moves. We also get into why AI is more likely to replace fully remote roles than hybrid ones, what most people misunderstand about productivity from home, and the three-part formula every leader should follow to make hybrid work sustainable and effective.

________________

This episode is sponsored by Workhuman.

HR just changed for good with the introduction of Human Intelligence™.​
​

By combining AI and the uniquely authentic data of Workhuman’s #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence reveals previously unobtainable insights into skills, performance, culture and more.

Human Intelligence also helps coach employees on what good peer-to-peer recognition looks like, turning every “good job” into better engagement, retention, and wellbeing.

And it helps surface feel-good stories that illustrate the best of your company culture.

Want to learn more? Human Intelligence at Workhuman.com, and join their force for good.

________________

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 leadership, what happens after the conversation often matters just as much as the conversation itself. Just like in sports, where athletes chase their missed shots to score on the rebound, leaders can recover from missteps by following up. Yet, many professionals leave these moments hanging, allowing misunderstandings to fester and opportunities for growth to slip away. In today's Leadership Spark, we explore why follow-up is a critical yet often overlooked tool for leaders. Checking in after a conversation can resolve misunderstandings, build trust, and create opportunities for growth. By taking the extra step to ensure your message is received as intended, you turn potential setbacks into learning moments.

________________

This episode is sponsored by Workhuman.

HR just changed for good with the introduction of Human Intelligence™.​
​

By combining AI and the uniquely authentic data of Workhuman’s #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence reveals previously unobtainable insights into skills, performance, culture and more.

Human Intelligence also helps coach employees on what good peer-to-peer recognition looks like, turning every “good job” into better engagement, retention, and wellbeing.

And it helps surface feel-good stories that illustrate the best of your company culture.

Want to learn more? Human Intelligence at Workhuman.com, and join their force for good.

________________

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/

Remote work might be convenient, but it’s not the game-changer people think it is. If you want to grow, succeed, and actually build a career, you need to show up. That’s the message from David Sable, former CEO of Young & Rubicam and Vice Chairman at Stagwell, who believes employees should beg to be in the office—not fight against it. In this episode, David breaks down why in-person work still matters and busts the myth of remote productivity. He highlights that the best leaders won’t waste time proving to employees why they should be there. We also tackle the real impact of office culture, why career development suffers without it, and how mentorship, collaboration, and serendipity shape long-term success. You’ll discover all the reasons why leaders need to stop caving to employee demands and start running businesses the way they know they should. If you’re wondering how to future-proof your career or just trying to understand why so many leaders are pushing back on remote work this episode is for you.

________________

This episode is sponsored by Workhuman.

HR just changed for good with the introduction of Human Intelligence™.​
​

By combining AI and the uniquely authentic data of Workhuman’s #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence reveals previously unobtainable insights into skills, performance, culture and more.

Human Intelligence also helps coach employees on what good peer-to-peer recognition looks like, turning every “good job” into better engagement, retention, and wellbeing.

And it helps surface feel-good stories that illustrate the best of your company culture.

Want to learn more? Human Intelligence at Workhuman.com, and join their force for good.

________________

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/

Remote work offers convenience and flexibility, but can it truly foster the leadership development needed to excel? While virtual environments allow for increased productivity, they often fall short in cultivating the deeper skills that come from observing, interacting, and learning in person. In today’s Leadership Spark, we explore why in-person presence remains essential for aspiring leaders. Gain insights into how face-to-face interactions with senior leaders, casual conversations, and observing real-time decision-making can accelerate leadership growth. For those with ambitions to advance, showing up when others choose to stay remote may provide a unique competitive advantage. Tune in to uncover how being physically present in the workplace can unlock opportunities, build stronger relationships, and fast-track your path to leadership.

________________

This episode is sponsored by Workhuman.

HR just changed for good with the introduction of Human Intelligence™. ​By combining AI and the uniquely authentic data of Workhuman’s #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence reveals what good looks like in your company, with previously unobtainable insights into skills, performance, culture and more. Human Intelligence also helps coach employees on what good peer-to-peer recognition looks like, turning every “good job” into better engagement, retention, and wellbeing.And it helps surface feel-good stories that illustrate the best of your company culture.
Learn about Human Intelligence at Workhuman.com, and join our force for good. 

________________

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 do Zone 2 training, VO2 max, cold plunges, and cognitive mapping have to do with leadership? More than you think. In this episode, Alex Hutchinson—award-winning journalist, endurance expert, and best-selling author of The Explorer’s Gene—explains why the principles of elite athletic training are just as critical for leadership. You’ll learn how top CEOs train like endurance athletes to build resilience, sharpen decision-making, and avoid burnout—not by working less, but by managing stress smarter. We dive into the real impact of corporate wellness programs, the difference between acute and chronic stress, and why organizations are treating employees like high-performance athletes. Plus, we uncover why AI and algorithms are reshaping exploration, how creativity is declining, and why the best leaders take calculated risks instead of playing it safe. If you want to sustain peak performance, outthink challenges, and thrive in a world obsessed with efficiency, this episode is for you.

________________

This episode is sponsored by Workhuman.

HR just changed for good with the introduction of Human Intelligence™. ​By combining AI and the uniquely authentic data of Workhuman’s #1 rated employee recognition platform, Human Intelligence reveals what good looks like in your company, with previously unobtainable insights into skills, performance, culture and more. Human Intelligence also helps coach employees on what good peer-to-peer recognition looks like, turning every “good job” into better engagement, retention, and wellbeing.And it helps surface feel-good stories that illustrate the best of your company culture.
Learn about Human Intelligence at Workhuman.com, and join our force for good. 

________________

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 thing is, vulnerability in leadership isn’t always the strength it’s cracked up to be. In fact, it can sometimes be your biggest liability. In today’s Leadership Spark, we explore the surprising truth about how vulnerability can backfire, especially for CEOs and top executives. From the dangers of opening up to the wrong people, to the physiological stress responses even the most powerful leaders experience when faced with vulnerability, this episode dives into the complex reality of being open in the workplace. We also tackle the fine line between vulnerability and competence—how showing your human side can either elevate or undermine your leadership. If you're ready to rethink the way vulnerability fits into leadership, this conversation is a must-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/