The Qualities That Drive Innovation and Create Possibilities with Google's Frederik Pferdt
The pace of change is relentless, and leaders everywhere are grappling with the same challenge: how do we prepare our teams for a future we can’t predict? In this episode of Future Ready Leadership, Google’s first Chief Innovation Evangelist, Frederik Pferdt, offers a solution—shifting your mindset to embrace curiosity, radical optimism, and human-centered leadership. Drawing from his groundbreaking work at Google and insights from his book "What’s Next is Now", Frederik reveals the secrets to transforming uncertainty into possibility. We dive into why innovation dies on idea boards, how replacing “but” with “and” can change everything, and the six dimensions of a future-ready mindset. Frederik also gets personal, sharing stories about handling California wildfires, transforming challenges into opportunities, and how experimenting like a gardener can help your ideas grow. ________________ 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/
16 Dec 202458min
Sparks: The Modern Leader: How to Lead and Thrive in the Fast-Paced Workplace
Can leaders keep up when change never slows down? In today’s Leadership Spark, we explore how the accelerating pace of change is reshaping workplaces, work ethics, and the delicate balance between employee empowerment and accountability. From the rise of disengaged work cultures to the struggle for accountability, this episode dives into the realities of modern leadership and what it takes to adapt, thrive, and rebuild the balance. ________________ 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/
13 Dec 20248min
How Leaders Can Use Foresight to be Future-Ready and Prepare For What's Next - Lisa Bodell
Amid constant change, how can leaders prepare for what's next without losing focus on today? In this episode, Lisa Bodell, Bestselling Author of "Kill the Company" and "Why Simple Wins", shares powerful strategies for becoming future-ready. She explains why agility and resilience matter more than rigid planning, how to leverage tools like STEEP and the Futures Wheel, and why every company must "Kill the Company" to uncover blind spots and innovate. Lisa also explores the dangers of "perma crisis" on creativity and why teaching human-centered skills like curiosity and agility is essential to thriving in uncertainty. ________________ 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/
9 Dec 202455min
Sparks: Purpose Over Perks: How to Keep Employee Satisfaction High for the Long-Term
Why do so many companies struggle to attract and retain top talent? Is it the lack of free food, shiny perks, or unlimited vacation days? Or is the issue much deeper? As leaders, it’s time to confront the uncomfortable truth: perks aren’t purpose, and engagement isn’t just an adrenaline shot. In today’s Leadership Spark, we'll unpack why many organizations are stuck on the “hedonic treadmill,” cycling through perks and benefits to boost short-term satisfaction but failing to create a lasting impact. I explore how outdated workplace practices, bureaucracy, and lack of purpose disengage employees over time—and why leaders must shift their focus from free lunches to fostering growth, meaning, and leadership. ________________ 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/
6 Dec 20246min
How To Be A Future-Ready Leader in 2025
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 Dec 202453min
Sparks: The Evolution of Leadership: Why Vulnerable Leaders are What We Need in Today’s Organization
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
How Faith and Values Are Changing The Way We Lead in Business Today with Dr. David Miller
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
Sparks: Retraining for Work Beyond Automation: The Three Key Skills You Need in An AI-Driven World
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
