We've been thinking...all things leadership

The business wants speed. People need space to learn. Strategic design and product leader Florin Gale joins Jan and Mark to explore this leadership paradox—and why navigating the age of AI requires leaders to rethink not only how their people work, learn, and adapt, but how they do, too.

We've been thinking... all things leadership introduces Leadership Perspectives, a new conversation series featuring experienced leaders sharing real-world perspectives on today's biggest leadership challenges.

Our first guest, technology executive Frederic Simard, brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to one defining question:

How do you lead people through a future that no one can yet clearly describe?

Together, we explore AI, uncertainty, and the uniquely human responsibilities of leadership.

Join the conversation.

Leaders drive change, and change shapes leadership. Our business landscapes and horizons are shifting as AI and related technologies accelerate. The way leaders add value is changing as well. In this episode, Jan and Mark share 5 critical shifts leaders need to make and the related capabilities that give them the "human edge."

We’ve been thinking about AI… and leadership.

In this episode, we explore:

• The difference between what AI can do and what it cannot own.

• Why judgment, responsibility, and ethical decision-making still sit with leaders.

• The growing importance of empathy, creativity, and curiosity.

• How leaders can improve the power of AI with a uniquely human touch.

Why do smart leaders sometimes make poor decisions? Often it’s not a lack of information—it’s a lack of disciplined thinking. In a world of algorithms, social media echo chambers, and information overload, Mark and Jan explore how egocentric thinking, sociocentric influence, confirmation bias, and emotional triggers shape our judgment—and what leaders can do to examine how they think, expand their perspective, and lead more wisely.

Why do some leaders move people to action while others get tuned out? It often comes down to storytelling—capturing and maintaining the attention of your audience. In this episode, Jan and Mark explore how leaders can craft stories that inform the head, inspire the heart, and invite action. With two practical frameworks and real-world examples, this is a must-listen for leaders who want to communicate with greater impact.

What if the key to better leadership wasn’t doing more—but protecting the space to do less, better? In this episode, we unpack the concept of “margin”—the vital buffer between burnout and breakthrough. Discover why safeguarding your time, energy, and attention isn’t just good self-care—it’s smart leadership.

As leaders, our greatest clarity often comes from looking back—not to dwell, but to learn, integrate, and lead forward.

In this special year-end episode, Mark and Jan explore the power of intentional reflection and a growth mindset to create a future full of fresh possibilities.

Mark and Jan conclude their conversation about the six conditions for thriving. In Part 1, they emphasized the importance of building a foundation of love, joy, and peace. In this episode (Part 2), they bookend the discussion by sharing how purpose, hope, and freedom foster meaning and fulfilment. Listen in as they offer powerful reflection prompts, leadership insights, and real-world applications to elevate yourself and others.

We all want to experience meaning and fulfillment in our work and relationships. Our time is finite, and, if we're honest, we spend too much of it merely trying to get through the day, the week, the year, or a challenging season of our lives. In this episode, Mark and Jan talk about the first three conditions for shifting out of survival mode into a state of thriving. Listen in as they unpack how Love, Joy, and Peace form the foundation for strong living.