Future Ready Leadership With Jacob Morgan

In today's episode, I speak with Stephen Smith, CEO of Amsted Industries. Stephen shares his belief that vulnerability is about acknowledging that you can be wrong and being willing to expose yourself as a human being. He emphasized that showing vulnerability helps to level the playing field and eliminates defensiveness, which can hinder effective decision-making.

Stephen recounted instances where he openly admitted his ignorance during meetings, which he believes fosters a culture of learning and growth. He also highlighted the importance of sharing personal experiences, such as his joy of becoming a grandparent, to help others see him as a human being with similar joys and emotions.

We discussed the importance of balancing vulnerability with strength, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Stephen believes that being vulnerable can convey strength and security, and it's crucial to communicate both effectively. He also shared that he's been vulnerable in his personal life, such as taking piano lessons at 65 and performing in a recital alongside a five-year-old prodigy.

Stephen believes that living a life where you're not always the powerful person but sometimes the vulnerable one is important, especially as a leader.

Stephen Smith is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. ⁠Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.⁠

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In this leadership spark, Bill George, former Chairman and CEO of Medtronic, discusses the essence of authentic leadership. He stresses the importance of finding one's True North – understanding personal beliefs, passions, motivations, and sources of fulfillment – by reflecting on past experiences and crucibles.

Bill emphasizes staying aligned with your True North and resisting compromising values for short-term gains or external validation. He advocates for emotional intelligence and vulnerability, encouraging leaders to seek feedback, learn from experiences, and make principled decisions. Ultimately, he inspires aspiring leaders to lead authentically, empowering others and making a positive difference.

Bill George is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.

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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 today's leadership spark, Bill George, former Chairman and CEO of Medtronic, dives deep into the most critical aspect of any company: its people. He highlights the importance of frontline employees and their role in driving the success of the organization.

Bill mentions the importance of creating an environment where innovation can thrive. He encourages leaders to have a high tolerance for failure and to learn from setbacks. Bill also finds personal development crucial as a leader and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness. He suggests regularly seeking 360-degree feedback for growth and reflecting and taking time to evaluate one's actions and impact on others.

Bill George is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.

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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 today's leadership spark, I chat with Bill George, former CEO of Medtronic and Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School, about his leadership journey and experiences. Bill shares how his father's advice, to be the leader he never became, shaped his career. He also discusses his early struggles with leadership, and he emphasizes the importance of caring about people and building deep connections as a leader.

Bill recalls his early leadership role at Litton Industries and how a crisis there taught him invaluable lessons in leading through tough times. He also talks about his time at Medtronic, the growth of the company, and the significance of innovation and developing inspired leaders. Overall, the discussion revolves around the evolution of leadership, the impact of relationships, and the changing expectations of leaders in modern times.

Bill George is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.

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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/

Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Scott Boatwright, the Chief Restaurant Officer at Chipotle. Known for his operational strategies and his ability to drive change, Boatwright has been instrumental in reshaping the food safety measures and employee management at Chipotle. He brings a wealth of experience from his role at Chipotle, and his insights are sure to inspire. In our conversation today, we delve into the heart of operational systems, food safety measures, and employee benefits.

From the importance of maintaining the quality and freshness of their ingredients, to the food safety measures and operational systems Scott implemented at Chipotle, we cover several important topics.

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Today's conversation is with Joel Quadracci, CEO of Quad Graphics. Quad is a commercial printing company which offers marketing strategy and management services, based in Sussex, Wisconsin and has approximately 16,000 employees'. Joel shares the importance of authenticity and "being real" in leadership, arguing that vulnerability should not be seen as a weakness but rather as a sign of genuine human connection. He also shares his journey of leading a company that grew from a printing business to a multifaceted agency, and the challenges he faced along the way, including the sudden passing of his father. Joel underscores the significance of inclusive decision-making and the emotional toll that comes with making tough decisions. He also discusses his personal approach to vulnerability, which involves being open to criticism and maintaining a sense of humor.

Today's episodes teaches us by embracing vulnerability, leaders can foster a culture of trust, openness, and inclusivity, which can ultimately lead to more resilient and successful organizations. Quadracci's journey shows the importance of being true to oneself, even in the face of adversity, and the power of a genuine human connection in the realm of leadership.

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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 today's Leadership Spark, Julia Boorstin, Senior Media & Technology Correspondent at CNBC, discusses the importance of adaptability, vulnerability, and contextual thinking in organizations. Julia emphasizes the significance of gathering data and listening to the people on the ground to make informed decisions when planning for worst-case scenarios.

Julia also highlights the value of vulnerability in leadership, encouraging leaders to acknowledge their weaknesses and create psychological safety within their organizations. Moreover, she explains the concept of contextual thinking, which involves solving root problems and preventing issues rather than simply reacting to them. By taking a broader perspective and asking tangential questions, leaders can find more effective solutions.

Julia Boorstin is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.

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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 today's Leadership Spark, Julia Boorstin, Senior Media & Technology Correspondent at CNBC, discusses various qualities and characteristics of effective leaders, focusing on vulnerability and adaptability. She emphasizes that no one is born a leader and that leadership skills are developed through practice. She also highlights that vulnerability is a superpower, allowing leaders to connect with others, inspire trust, and foster learning.

Julia further discusses the importance of adaptability and the willingness to change one's mind in order to solve problems and embrace new opportunities. She also explores the differences in confidence between men and women and how confidence levels change over time. Finally, Julia highlights the significance of asking questions and seeking clarity in meetings, as it encourages open dialogue and collective learning.

Julia Boorstin is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.

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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 today's Leadership Spark, I chat with Julia Boorstin, Senior Media & Technology Correspondent at CNBC. We delve into the challenges women face in leadership roles and accessing venture capital funding. She highlights the issue of pattern matching in the investment landscape, where investors tend to favor founders who fit established success patterns, leading to a lack of diversity in funding.

Julia emphasizes the need to address unconscious bias and promote skill-based hiring and promotion processes to create equal opportunities for advancement. Our conversation also addresses resilience, self-perception as leaders, and the importance of moving beyond categorizing female CEOs separately.

Julia Boorstin is one of the 100+ CEOs I interviewed for my new book, Leading With Vulnerability, which is coming out in October. Check it out here and pre-order your copy now.

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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/

Today's episode is with none other than Robert Irvine, a celebrity chef, entrepreneur, author, and host of Food Network's hit show "Restaurant Impossible". Known for his dynamic leadership style and his ability to transform failing restaurants, Irvine has been instrumental in reshaping the culinary landscape. He brings a wealth of experience from his time in the military and his insights are sure to inspire. In our conversation today, we discussed the heart of leadership and the role it plays in creating successful teams and businesses.

From the importance of self-belief and understanding what motivates others, as highlighted in his leadership philosophy, to the shift in mindset required for an individual to emerge as a leader, we cover several important topics. We also explore the role of middle management in organizations, drawing parallels with the military where non-commissioned officers are trained to control and utilize people to the best of their ability, and the importance of empathetic leadership in fostering a culture that enables growth and success.

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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/