Join Mark and co-host Jacquelyn Lane, President and Co-founder of 100 Coaches Agency, for a powerful episode of the Chief Executive Summit featuring Klaus Kleinfeld, former Chairman and CEO of Alcoa and former CEO of Siemens AG.

Klaus shares insights from his global leadership journey and his new book, Leading to Thrive, offering a fresh framework for sustainable success.

Key takeaways:

• Boardroom Strategy: What every CEO should know about managing group dynamics.

• Energy Over Time: Why managing energy—not time—is the key to peak performance.

• The Inner Game: How mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual energy fuel great leadership.

This is a candid, insightful conversation with one of the world’s most experienced global leaders.

This week on the Chief Executive Summit, we’re joined by Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA, and co-host Scott Osman, Founder and CEO of 100 Coaches Agency.

Barbara reflects on the setbacks that shaped her path to CEO and how optimism, humility, and mission-driven leadership have guided her journey.

Key takeaways:

* Her “worst day” opened the door to her best opportunity

* The importance of raising your hand and owning your impact

* Why asking “What do you think?” is a game-changer in leadership

A powerful conversation full of clarity, courage, and actionable wisdom.

Join Mark for a fascinating look back at one of the most visionary conversations from our archives, featuring Steve Jobs, then Chairman and CEO of Pixar Animation Studios and interim CEO of Apple.

In this rare dialogue, Steve shares his reflections on building Pixar into what he described as "the second great animation studio in the world." He dives into the power of blending creative genius with technical innovation, the art of storytelling, and how Pixar pioneered a new era of digital filmmaking — all while balancing leadership at both Pixar and Apple.

Key moments include:

Pixar’s approach to merging Silicon Valley’s technology with Hollywood’s storytelling tradition.

Steve’s insights on scaling creativity, finding the right talent, and fostering a collaborative culture.

The vision for digital cinema and building evergreen revenue streams through beloved characters and franchises.

Steve’s relentless focus on quality and his belief in the longevity of great storytelling offer timeless lessons for every leader striving to leave a lasting impact.

Don’t miss this incredible conversation, hosted by Mark.

Join Mark for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit, featuring Asheesh Advani, CEO of Junior Achievement Worldwide and co-author of Modern Achievement.

Order Modern Achievement: https://a.co/d/eGHXedC

Watch now: https://www.chiefexecutivealliance.com/post/cea-summit-asheesh-advani-ja-worldwide

Asheesh leads an organization that impacts over 15 million young people annually across 118 countries, fostering entrepreneurship, self-efficacy, and leadership skills in the next generation.

In this conversation, he shares insights on:

• The Future of Achievement: Why traditional goal-setting is outdated in a world where young professionals will have 20 jobs and 7 careers on average.

• Self-Efficacy & Entrepreneurship: How JA programs instill an unshakable belief in success through hands-on experience.

• Innovation & Adaptability: A framework for navigating change—fixed, flexible, and freestyle—that empowers leaders at all levels.

• Building a Meaningful Network: The power of surrounding yourself with mentors and how relationships drive career success.

Asheesh’s perspective is a must-hear for leaders, educators, and anyone passionate about shaping the future workforce.

#Leadership #FutureOfWork #Entrepreneurship #ChiefExecutiveSummit #MarkThompson

Join Mark for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit, featuring Mike Clem, CEO of Sweetwater, the nation’s largest online retailer of musical instruments and audio/video equipment for creators. Mike shares his inspiring journey from tech and e-commerce professional to leading Sweetwater—a $1.5 billion company with over 10 million customers and a culture centered on building lifelong relationships. After two pianos and four trumpets later, Mark is sold on Sweetwater.

Key insights from the conversation:

Heart and Culture: Sweetwater thrives by fostering one-to-one relationships and providing over-the-top customer service, from free tech support to personalized guitar inspections. Mike discusses how this culture was shaped by founder Chuck Surack, who started the company in 1979 in the back of a VW bus.

Leadership Transition: Mike shares how his 20 years with Sweetwater prepared him to step into the CEO role, including his commitment to preserving its people-first culture while navigating rapid growth.

Employee Engagement: With 2,700 employees, Mike emphasizes the importance of leadership accountability for team happiness and engagement, noting how this approach strengthens customer experiences.

Balancing Stakeholders: Learn how Mike leads with heart while balancing the needs of employees, customers, investors, and the community.

This is a masterclass in scaling with purpose and staying true to core values in leadership. Don’t miss it!

Join Mark for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit, featuring Geoff Smart, Chairman and Founder of ghSMART and a leading expert in CEO and C-suite readiness. Geoff shares his transformative approach to leadership assessment and development, offering invaluable insights for aspiring and current executives.

Key Highlights:

Beyond Psychology Tests: Geoff explains why traditional tools like cognitive tests often fall short at the executive level.

Forensic Leadership Analysis: Discover Geoff’s unique method of evaluating leadership through a detailed examination of past experiences and performance, validated by peer and board feedback.

Role-Specific Readiness: Insights into tailoring leadership development to the strategic needs of an organization.

Geoff also discusses groundbreaking research, including the three key traits that increase team success by 20 times: prioritization, talent management, and result-focused relationships. These principles, combined with a rigorous selection process, drive long-term success for leaders and organizations alike.

Don't miss this conversation about aligning leadership excellence with organizational strategy. Listen now.

Join Mark for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit featuring Tom Gruber, co-creator of Siri and a pioneer in humanistic AI. This conversation dives deep into Tom's remarkable journey and the future of artificial intelligence, offering unique insights for leaders navigating this transformative era.

Key Highlights:

The Origins of Siri: Tom reflects on building Siri with a small team of 24 and the pivotal decision to join Apple, sharing personal anecdotes about working with Steve Jobs and embedding AI into the iPhone.

AI's Role in Leadership: Discover how leaders can embrace AI to augment human capabilities rather than replace them, emphasizing collaboration and critical thinking in a tech-driven workplace.

Humanistic AI: Tom advocates for AI systems designed to enhance human potential and address global challenges, from education to mental health care.

Navigating Risks: Learn how to balance AI’s powerful potential with the ethical responsibility to prevent unintended consequences, such as misinformation or system failures.

Tom's vision for AI goes beyond automation—it’s about empowering humanity. Whether you're leading a Fortune 500 company or an emerging startup, this episode is a must-listen for understanding AI's role in shaping the future.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with actionable insights.

Join Mark on this week’s episode of the Chief Executive Podcast for an insightful discussion with Niren Chaudhary, former Chairman of the Board and CEO at Panera Brands, and David Reimer, CEO and Managing Partner of The ExCo Group.

Niren and David share strategies for leading in an era of profound change and the evolving demands on today’s CEOs. Key takeaways include:

The Evolving CEO Role

David emphasizes the need for CEOs to stay adaptable in an ever-changing environment.

Building a Resilient Pipeline

Both leaders stress the importance of fostering curiosity and resilience in future executives, preparing them to lead in unpredictable times.

Creating Psychological Safety

Niren underscores the value of challenging ideas and embracing dissent: "Don’t tell me why you agree with me, tell me why you disagree."

Data Meets Judgment

Niren encourages leaders to use data for informed decisions but warns against waiting for perfection—act when "70% certain" and trust your judgment for the rest.

Discover how today’s leaders can stay agile and foster innovative cultures. Tune in to learn these strategies for navigating modern leadership challenges.

Join Mark for an in-depth episode of the Chief Executive Summit featuring Melissa D. Smith, CEO of WEX. Over her decade of leadership, Melissa has transformed WEX into a powerhouse in the fintech space, driving innovation and growth while navigating major milestones like the company’s IPO and the challenges of the global pandemic.

In this compelling conversation, Melissa delves into:

Creating a Culture of Inclusivity: Melissa explains how fostering an environment where employees can be their authentic selves has helped WEX build diverse, high-performing teams.

The Power of Strategic Risk-Taking: From large acquisitions to leveraging AI and data, she shares her approach to taking informed risks that propel the company forward.

Developing Future Leaders: Melissa emphasizes the importance of clarity in talent development, outlining how WEX builds a strong leadership pipeline by focusing on both experience and behavior.

Melissa's candid insights on resilience, innovation, and the future of fintech make this episode a must-watch for executives looking to lead with purpose in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Join Mark for the latest episode of the Chief Executive Summit featuring John Dickerson, renowned journalist, CBS News Prime Time anchor, and author. Together, they delve into the complexities of leadership in times of change and volatility. Through John's unique perspective, drawn from his experiences and his book 'The Hardest Job in the World', they explore various aspects of presidential leadership, including decision-making, the impact of media, team building, and adaptation to change. The dialogue also delves into the evolving role of CEOs and the intersection of politics and corporate America.