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

Vulnerability alone WON’T make you a great leader. Yes, vulnerability is key to trust and connection. Leaders are told to be open, admit mistakes, and be authentic. But vulnerability without leadership can backfire. Imagine a CEO addressing their company during a crisis. They acknowledge the struggles, admit uncertainty, and… stop there. No vision. No direction. Just uncertainty. That’s not leadership. That’s fear without a plan. In today’s Leadership Spark, we explore what separates vulnerability that builds trust from vulnerability that erodes confidence. You’ll discover the real formula for impactful leadership: Vulnerability + Leadership = Trust & Competence. Hear real-world examples of leaders who got it right and those who didn’t. If you’ve ever wondered how to be authentic while still inspiring confidence, 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/

14 Mars 10min

AI is moving faster than most leaders can keep up. If you’re not leveraging it, you’re already behind. But AI adoption isn’t as simple as plugging in new tech. While some companies are already using it to outpace competitors, others are stuck in analysis paralysis—unsure how to implement AI without opening themselves up to risk. If you want to lead in this AI-driven world, you can’t afford to wait. In this episode, Dan Priest, US Chief AI Officer of PwC, breaks down the biggest AI shifts happening right now and the strategies leaders need to stay ahead. You’ll learn why AI has moved from a technical tool to a business strategy driver, how companies can avoid the biggest AI adoption mistakes, the critical role of responsible AI governance, and why understanding AI’s human impact is just as important as its technical capabilities. ________________ 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/

10 Mars 55min

The workplace has evolved. It’s no longer about employees convincing companies to hire them—it’s about companies proving why employees should want to stay. The game has changed, and so must leadership. In today's Leadership Spark, we uncover the truth about what separates employee engagement from employee experience—and why it’s the latter that drives real results. Learn why only 6% of companies are excelling in employee experience and how investing in it can drive real business ROI. We’ll uncover what it takes to build a culture where employees truly want to stay and thrive. ________________ 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/

7 Mars 6min

Join the world’s top CHROs who are a part of Future of Work Leaders. An exclusive group of people leaders from around the world who are moving beyond traditional HR to focus on the future of work, employee experience, and leadership. Other groups are expensive, time consuming, filled with sales pitches and presentations, and don’t add value. Future of Work Leaders is different, it’s shaped by the very CHROs who are a part of it. We host monthly virtual discussions along with an thriving online community and a few in-person events each year. We focus on connections, insights, and value. Join CHROs from Tractor Supply, Northrop Grumman, Neiman Marcus, Dow, Lego, Patagonia, PNC Bank, and dozens of others. Learn more at FutureOfWorkLeaders.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/

5 Mars 4min

Most leaders overcomplicate retention, engagement, and culture-building—when the real solution is simple: recognition. Eric Mosley is CEO and founder of Workhuman, a company that has helped over 7 million employees across 150 countries connect through authentic appreciation—and the data proves it works. In this episode, Eric shares how recognition, done right, can cut turnover in half, boost engagement, and build stronger teams. We unpack why peer-to-peer recognition matters more than you think, how AI is uncovering hidden bias and strengthening inclusivity, and why authentic, timely recognition is more powerful than any traditional reward system. You’ll learn how gratitude fuels better performance, how to avoid recognition burnout, and why leaders who actively recognize others stay longer and perform better. If you want to retain top talent and build a thriving culture, recognition isn’t about handing out awards—it’s about real, timely appreciation that strengthens human connections. Get this right, and you don’t just boost engagement—you future-proof your workforce.   ________________ 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/

3 Mars 1h

Are multiple generations in the workplace really as different as we think? Or is work ethic the real issue we should be talking about? In today’s Leadership Spark, we challenge the idea that generational differences define work habits. Instead, we explore why life stages and experiences—not age—shape how people approach work, and how social media trends like "lazy girl jobs" are promoting toxic career mindsets. We also break down why work ethic seems to be declining, what companies should expect from employees, and how leaders can balance vulnerability with accountability to build stronger teams. If you want to understand what’s really happening in today’s workplace, 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/

28 Feb 9min

If half your team suddenly quit, would you know why? Research shows that 50% of employees quit because of their relationship with their leader, and it’s not because of screaming bosses or impossible workloads—it’s because they feel ignored, undervalued, and disconnected. In this episode, Dr. Jack Zenger, CEO and Co-Founder of Zenger Folkman, breaks down what truly drives employee retention and engagement. Backed by data from 200,000 leaders worldwide, Jack reveals the three leadership qualities that make the biggest impact on employees, the cascading effect of great leadership across an organization, and why strategic thinking, inspiration, and results-focused leadership matter now more than ever. We also discuss how you can measure your effectiveness as a leader without relying on complex surveys, as well as the state of leadership in 2025, the impact of AI, and whether leadership training programs are actually working. If you want to keep your best people and build a culture where employees thrive, this episode 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/

24 Feb 56min

What if being vulnerable as a leader could make you stronger, not weaker? In today’s Leadership Spark, we explore the Vulnerability Mountain—a framework that shows why leading with vulnerability isn't about flipping a switch but embarking on a journey that builds trust and credibility. You'll discover why vulnerability without competence can backfire, how the Pratfall Effect makes leaders more relatable when they’re great at their jobs, and why leading by example is the only way to inspire authenticity in your team. If you want to lead with impact, this episode will challenge your perspective on what true leadership looks like.   ________________ 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/

21 Feb 5min