Sparks: Think Beyond Borders: How to Cultivate a Global Citizen Mindset With Solvay CEO Ilham Kadri

In today’s leadership spark, Executive Coach Tom Henschel and I talk about how to make your executive presence unique and stand out, emphasizing the importance of confidence and self-awareness. We also explore the three components of executive presence: gravitas, communication, and appearance.  Tom highlights the significance of negative automatic thoughts and how managing them is crucial for building confidence and gravitas. As we wrapped up the discussion, Tom leaves us with an action item for improving executive presence: recording a short video and seeking feedback from others to gain insights and make adjustments. _________________ This episode is sponsored by AvePoint. Take control of your SaaS environment and ensure secure collaboration with AvePoint. _________________ 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 Juni 202318min

In today’s leadership spark, Executive Coach Tom Henschel and I discuss the importance of communications and presence in leadership. Tom discusses the importance of concise communication, the art of answering questions effectively, and the tendency to drift off-topic in conversations. Tom also shares coaching insights and techniques to help leaders develop these skills and enhance their executive presence. Tom and I dived deeper into how to determine if one has an executive presence, the importance of feedback and recognition over time, and the challenges and strategies for developing an executive presence in a virtual world. He also addressed the impact of technology on virtual executive presence, such as lighting, microphone quality, and camera positioning. Our conversation also covered whether executive presence is exclusive to extroverts or if introverts can also cultivate it with a game day attitude and conscious effort. ________________ This episode is sponsored by AvePoint. Take control of your SaaS environment and ensure secure collaboration with AvePoint. ________________ 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 Juni 202321min

In today’s leadership spark, Executive Coach Tom Henschel discusses the concept of executive presence and its crucial role in leadership and how it influences how others perceive and trust leaders. The nature of executive presence is diverse, as it varies across industries and organizational contexts. According to Tom, executive presence encompasses both behavioral aspects and attitude, including confidence, the ability to command a room, and great speaking skills. Leaders often find it challenging to develop executive presence. While executive presence may not directly secure a promotion or job, its absence can hinder progress. _________________ This episode is sponsored by AvePoint. Take control of your SaaS environment and ensure secure collaboration with AvePoint. ___________________ 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/

20 Juni 202321min

My guest today us David MacLennan, the Executive Chair and former CEO of Cargill, a global food and agribusiness corporation that employs over 160,000 employees in 70 countries. David shares his journey, from his early days in the company to his rise to the top, and the challenges he faced along the way. In this conversation, David discusses the importance of followership in leadership. He emphasizes that a title alone does not command respect or followership; it must be earned through credibility, sincerity, and reliability. He also shares his philosophy on leadership, which involves creating a personal connection with those he leads through authenticity and transparency. David believes that trust is the cornerstone of effective leadership, and he strives to earn this trust from his team and the wider organization.  ___________________ This episode is sponsored by: AvePoint Rapidly reduce costs, improve productivity and make more informed business decisions with AvePoint. With the most advanced platform to optimize SaaS operations and secure collaboration, AvePoint helps you transform your digital workplace and collaborate with confidence. To get started, go to www.avepoint.com and learn how you can advance your digital workplace 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/

19 Juni 202340min

In today’s leadership spark, renowned Author Brian Christian and I delve into the creation and challenges of algorithms, emphasizing the distinction between traditional algorithms and machine learning models. We explore how machine learning models are trained using examples and objective functions, highlighting their potential for accuracy and generalization. Brian also mentions the complexities of AI in fields like aerospace safety and hiring processes. We explore the challenges of balancing automation with human intuition and the risks of biases embedded in algorithms. While cautioning against overreliance on AI, Brian highlights the need for ongoing research, transparency, and ethical considerations in the development and deployment of these technologies. ___________________ 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 Juni 202314min

In today’s episode spark, I engage in a thought-provoking conversation with renowned Author Brian Christian. In our conversation, we explore the creation of algorithms, from traditional step-by-step code to modern machine learning models. Brian emphasizes the importance of understanding these systems, even for non-technical individuals, as they increasingly shape our lives and decisions.  Further into our discussion, we dived deeper into real-world examples of AI and machine learning in action, such as medical diagnostics, social media algorithms, and even judicial decision-making. The episode sheds light on the implications and challenges presented by these technologies, urging listeners to be informed citizens in the algorithm-driven world we live in. ___________________ 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 Juni 202319min

In today’s episode spark, I had the pleasure of chatting with renowned Author Brian Christian. We discussed his latest book, "The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values," and why he wrote it. Brian shared how the public conversation around AI shifted in 2014, leading him to explore the intersection of AI and human values. He highlighted the emergence of technical AI safety as a research field and discussed incidents that underscored the ethical challenges AI presents. Brian also touched on the history of AI and its breakthrough in 2012, along with the power and potential dangers of AI. _________________ 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 Juni 202318min

My interview today is with Bruce Avolio, the Director of the Gallup Leadership Institute and a renowned expert in the field of leadership. Bruce has dedicated his career to studying leadership and developing strategies for effective leadership in today's rapidly changing world. In our conversation, we explore the topic of leadership and how to become a successful leader. Bruce shares his insights on the debate of whether leaders are born or made, and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and innovation for leaders. He also highlights the growing emphasis on psychological safety in the workplace and the value of authenticity in leadership. We also discuss the different types of leadership, including transactional and transformational leadership, and how each approach can impact employee satisfaction and retention. Bruce shares his research on the impact of CEO approval on board retention decisions and the importance of having a strong core value as a leader. __________________ 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/

12 Juni 202351min