Ep 157: How IBM Is Thinking About The Future Of HR

Leadership in 2024 was challenging, and 2025 promises to be even more demanding. With economic pressures, hybrid work complexities, and the rapid rise of AI, the expectations for leaders have never been higher. But the good news is we've packed the best leadership advice from 2024 into one powerhouse episode, giving you the tools to thrive in the year ahead. In this episode, Guy Kawasaki, Author & Chief Evangelist at Canva, kicks things off by sharing how a growth mindset and resilience can help leaders tackle challenges head-on and turn them into opportunities. Dr. Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership & Management, reveals why creating psychological safety and embracing “intelligent failures” is the key to innovation and team trust. Finally, John R. Miles, Founder & CEO of PASSION STRUCK, wraps it up with his next-level framework for mindset and behavior shifts, showing leaders how to unlock intrinsic motivation and lead with intention. Get all the insights you need to lead with confidence, inspire your team, and make 2025 your breakthrough year.   ________________ 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/

2 Des 202453min

People don't want to work for leaders who power play and hide mistakes. Nowadays, what they need more are leaders who lead with vulnerability. In this episode, we'll understand why vulnerability matters in leadership and discover why, according to global research, showing your human side is essential for inspiring innovation, building trust, and keeping your career alive. Drawing on fascinating insights from 14,000 employees around the world, Harvard research, and the surprising lesson of a butterfly, we'll unpack how "leading with vulnerability" is reshaping organizations worldwide. This episode will help you step up as the leader the world needs today.   ________________ 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/

29 Nov 202410min

What if the secret to success in leadership lies in something deeper than just strategy? In this episode, Dr. David Miller, Executive Director of the Princeton Faith & Work Initiative, dives into what it means to lead with integrity, why ethics should be a core part of every organization, and how faith, regardless of belief system, can shape values that stick. We explore why many people feel a “calling” for ethical leadership, and how faith can serve as a foundation for values-based decision-making. Dr. Miller also shares his approach to teaching ethics through the “Five Essential Questions,” which challenge leaders to think deeply about the source of their values, make ethical decisions in gray zones, and foster a culture of transparency. Dr. Miller also introduces his TAM model—believability, buy-in, and barometer—as a guide for companies pursuing ethical transformations.   ________________ 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/

25 Nov 202457min

How do you keep your team ready for the future when tech constantly reshapes the workplace? AI is rewriting the rules of work and pushing us to think beyond the traditional job roles. In today's Leadership Spark, we break down three ways leaders can stay ahead: helping employees make the most of tech, encouraging a culture of self-driven learning, and focusing on human skills that strengthen team connections. If you're a leader looking to keep your team adaptable and engaged in the tech-driven future of work, this episode offers you real, practical insights on embracing change without losing that all-important human touch.   ________________ 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/

22 Nov 20248min

How do top leaders close impossible deals and get buy-in from the toughest stakeholders? James Sebenius, Professor of Business Administration at Harvard and co-founder of Harvard’s Negotiation Program, has been involved with the world’s most successful negotiation cases. In today’s episode, he reveals the top strategies that make great negotiators. Drawing from icons like Bob Iger, Jim Baker, and Henry Kissinger, James shares the keys to negotiation that every leader needs: when to use “intermediate moves” to gain advantage, why the best negotiators think like chess players, why “setup” is everything in negotiation, and how to balance empathy with assertiveness to get results.   ________________ 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/

18 Nov 20241h 2min

Vulnerability might seem like a weakness, but in leadership, it’s a true superpower. In today's Leadership Spark, we dive into the spectrum of vulnerability, showing how it’s far from one-size-fits-all. We’ll explore the five 'superhero' types of vulnerable leaders and help you pinpoint your unique style for building trust and connection. Discover how understanding and embracing your vulnerability type can reshape the way you lead and elevate the impact you have on those around 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/

15 Nov 20244min

What does it take to turn any team into a high-performing powerhouse? Keith Ferazzi, Founder, Chair, & CEO at Ferrazzi Greenlight, knows it's all about ditching the traditional leadership model and mastering the new "teamship" concept. Keith is a Best-Selling Author of many books, including "Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship", as well as Founder, Chair, & CEO at Ferrazzi Greenlight. In this episode, we dig into building a “challenge culture,” a strategy that helps teams address issues openly and hold each other accountable, and introduces “open 360s,” a transparent feedback system to build trust. He also discusses practical tools like monthly “stress tests” to identify project challenges early and “energy checks” to boost team resilience. With advice on avoiding consensus culture pitfalls, setting a “social contract” for team values, and optimizing hybrid work, Keith gives leaders clear steps to create teams that truly support one another and perform at their best.   ________________ 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/

11 Nov 202453min

I’ve spent years researching and speaking with HR leaders, and one thing is clear—employee experience is the game-changer. Companies have historically focused on "utility" and "productivity," but now we're shifting towards experience—creating environments where employees want to show up, not just need to. In today's Leadership Spark, I dive deep into how companies can move beyond superficial perks and create a workplace where employees feel like they’ve bought into an experience, not just a job. ________________ 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/

8 Nov 202413min