How can values fuel creativity and attract top-tier clients? Hugo Veiga and Diego Machado of AKQA São Paulo share how a values-driven culture shapes everything—from creative processes to client partnerships—powering standout work for brands like Google, Netflix, and Usher while nurturing exceptional talent.

Are middle managers the unsung heroes of organizational success? Dr. Daisy Grewal, Senior Manager of People Analytics at Intuit, unpacks the overlooked power of middle management—debunking myths and revealing how agile decision-making and smart people strategy can transform leadership impact.

What does it take to lead Africa’s renewable energy revolution? Stephan LeCam shares the three leadership traits driving impact across the continent: political savvy, humility, and an entrepreneurial mindset—crucial for navigating complexity and unlocking sustainable growth in this booming sector.

What does effective DEI leadership really look like? Dr. Greg Pennington, former VP of HR at Johnson Controls, shares practical DEI strategies and communication tools leaders can use to create lasting impact—grounded in accountability, clarity, and authentic organizational change.

How do you transform culture when no one wants to talk about it? Harvard Fellow Ann Le Cam joins Felicia Shakiba to unpack how leaders can overcome resistance, shift mindsets, and build a culture that supports growth, trust, and long-term performance—even when change feels uncomfortable.

How does DEIB actually impact business performance? DEIB expert Todd Kashdan joins Felicia Shakiba to break down the true meaning behind DEI terms, how to measure impact, and why leadership commitment is key to shaping culture, decision-making, and high-performing teams.

How is the Chief People Officer role evolving in today’s workplace?

Colleen McCreary, former Chief People, Place, and Publicity Officer at Credit Karma, shares how CPOs are shifting from admin to strategic leadership—driving accountability, employee advocacy, and real organizational impact. This demands strong C-suite strategy and executive insights into the future of work, especially with the rise of AI automation and business process automation.

—

Subscribe to the LeaderbookAI Podcast (formerly CPO PLAYBOOK): https://leaderbook.ai/podcast

Want to create 10x the value of your business or investments? Let’s talk: https://leaderbook.ai/contact

Why is executive compensation so controversial—and what should leaders do about it? Shelly Carlin joins Felicia Shakiba to unpack the structure of executive pay, its public perception, and how organizations can influence policy while navigating compensation strategy with transparency and accountability.

Looking for one of the best business podcasts out there?

Check out CPO PLAYBOOK with Korn Ferry executive coach Felicia Shakiba. Each episode tackles a real business challenge—offering sharp, actionable insights on leadership, people strategy, M&A, scaling, and entrepreneurship.

Guests include leaders from Softbank, Harvard, PepsiCo, Adidas, Reddit, Valentino, Cirque du Soleil, CitiGroup, AKQA, Stanford, BuzzFeed—plus experts in private equity, venture capital, and tech.