World Economic Forum

How can we recognize potential and unlock it? Misty Copeland was the first Black woman to be promoted to principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. But as a child she almost quit after her first class – until an early teacher convinced her to return. Misty talks to Meet The Leader about the ways dance changed how she navigated life and how it taught her key skills such as resilience, empathy and curiosity. She shares how she uses her perspective and experience to found the Misty Copeland Foundation and develop a free afterschool program that reinvents how dance is taught to bridge diversity gaps while also teaching key leadership skills. She shares why these skills and approaches are vital to driving future change and what any leader can learn about elevating others.  This interview was recorded in January 2025 at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. To learn more:  Misty Copeland Foundation: Special Open Forum Screening: Flower: Dancing Through Adversity: How can art drive equality for women? Two cultural trailblazers weigh in: About this episode:  Transcript: Related Podcasts:  Radio Davos: Dance or die: the ballet dancer who faced down Al Qaeda to become the voice of stateless refugees:

Spatial computing will extend computing beyond screens. In the process it could change how we communicate and interact with technology as a whole -- transforming how we work, how we learn, how we preserve memories, and even what can be owned (with issues like virtual air rights highlighting new business opportunities and regulatory challenges). Future Dynamics founder and spatial computing expert Cathy Hackl will share what to expect and what's needed to scale this field further (or what could hold it back). She'll also explain how companies and leaders should be preparing and reveal the advice she gives CEOs to help them get ready for this tech shift and the workforce that will come with it, Gen Alpha. About this episode:  Related podcast: Radio Davos: Spatial computing: why the future of the internet is 3D

David Beckham shot to fame in the 1990s playing football for Manchester United and England and boosted the game’s profile in the USA playing for LA Galaxy. Off the pitch he was at the centre of Cool Britiannia-era glamour, marrying Posh Spice pop star-turned-fashion designer Victoria. He’s a global brand, and he has used that fame and influence, among other things, as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations children’s fund, UNICEF, where his 7 Fund - named after the number he wore on the pitch - works in schools around the world to combat bullying, violence, child marriage and missed education. Beckham, who turns 50 this year, was at the Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos to receive a Crystal Award, which the Forum bestows on people in arts and entertainment who have gone beyond the day job to help improve the state of the world. At a time when overseas development is under pressure like never before, and with a rise in online misogyny, we spoke to David Beckham about his work with UNICEF and his role as a father. Catch up on all the action from the Annual Meeting 2025 at and across social media using the hashtag #WEF25. Related podcasts: What just happened in Davos, and how is the world different now? Global Risks Report: the big issues facing the world at Davos 2025 The 90-year-old using sports to change the lives of refugees Check out all our podcasts on :  - - : - : - : Join the :  

Big shifts must happen to ready teams for a work future that requires agile thinking and new forms of collaboration. Organizational psychologist, best-selling author and Wharton professor Adam Grant shares research-backed strategies that help develop leaders and work relationships across an organization as well as help teams practice critical soft skills like analysis and creativity that are often overlooked and undervalued. He explains why future workers will need to become “job crafters,” and the one trait leaders won’t be able to work without. He’ll also share what a college job as a magician taught him about engaging skeptics (and prompting critical thinking) and why he swears by keeping a “To-Don’t” list. This interview was recorded in January 2025 at the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland   About this episode: -Adam grant: YouTube: Podcast: -Future of Jobs Report: Related Podcasts: -How leaders can prepare teams for the future of work: ADP’s Chief Economist: -Upskilling, tapping human talents, and what's really needed for the future of work: Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar:

What happened at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2025, where the world met to discuss 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age'? On Day 1, Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as US president, and announced he was withdrawing from the Paris climate deal, as well as the World Health Organisation, and vowed to use trade tariffs to re-shore jobs. On Day 4 he addressed the meeting in a link-up from Washington. We hear some of that and talk to the people who lead the Forum's work throughout the year, reflect on the impact of the meeting, held at a pivotal moment for world affairs. Catch up on all the action from the Annual Meeting 2025 at and across social media using the hashtag #WEF25. Davos 2025 sessions mentioned in this episode: Special address by Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America: All Hands on Deck for the Energy Transition: The Dawn of Artificial General Intelligence?: Debating Tariffs: Forum reports and initiatives mentioned in this episode: Chief Economists Outlook: January 2025: Global Risks Report 2025: The Future of Jobs Report 2025: Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025: First Movers Coalition: 1t.org: AI Governance Alliance: AI Competitiveness through Regional Collaboration: Global Lighthouse Network:  Yes/Cities:  Related podcasts: : : : : Check out all our podcasts on :  - - : - : - : Join the :  

To truly close the gender gap, we’ll need to address the menstrual health gap. A lack of access to hygiene care, solutions, education and more holds back those who menstruate at school and work, leading to real knock-on effects to the economy. Sahil Tesfu, the Chief Strategy Officer for health and hygiene company Essity Group, breaks down how age-old taboos related to women’s health have led to big barriers for social progress overall and the simple changes that leaders in business can boost everything from workplace health and psychological safety to productivity. She also shares lessons learned from her long consulting career including her approach to problem solving, including how a new approach to check-ins that can be more effective than the standard status update in driving team progress, clarity and empowerment. For more on this episode: Related episodes: How bridging design gaps in science and tech can tackle gender bias:

One of the biggest names in music talks about AI and human soul. The victim of the 'Tinder Swindler' highlights a multi-billion dollar cyber crime. And leaders from business and civil society share life-changing advice. In 2024, some of the brightest minds spoke to the World Economic Forum's podcasts Radio Davos and Meet the Leader. In this 'Best Of' episode, podcast hosts Robin Pomeroy and Linda Lacina each select three highlights from a busy year. Featured episodes: Check out all our podcasts on : - - : - : - : Join the :

Consultancy AlixPartners works with top companies around the world, giving it a front row seat at how industries are changing. Its annual Disruption Index takes an even closer look at these changes surveying leaders to understand the biggest opportunities and challenges they see, all while identifying the tipping points ahead in everything from global labor markets to technologies. CEO Simon Freakley breaks down surprising insights from the Index’s fifth edition, including the ways leaders have become more adept at handling change since COVID and the skills CEOs say they need to strengthen now. He uses his own experience to put key takeaways into sharp focus, sharing the traits effective technology leaders must develop and the tactical questions they must ask themselves to navigate disruption and eventually drive the transformation of their sectors.  For more information:  AlixPartners: 2024 Disruption Index: Related podcasts:  What’s next for data driven medicine - and what AI-powered innovation needs now: Insitro CEO Daphne Koller: Build a culture of innovation: HPE's CTO shares what must be in place: 7 top innovators share strategies that drive cutting edge solutions:

Jessica Jackson understands the damage wreaked by excessive incarceration and supervision firsthand. As a young mother with a two-month old on her hip, she watched her husband be sentenced to six years in prison, being pulled into a system impacting millions in the US alone - one that erodes families and communities and restricts opportunities for stable lives after release. This life-changing experience drove this housewife just only a GED to go to college, then law school, and then become a human rights attorney driving a movement for reform. She talks about her work running The Reform Alliance as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Advocacy Officer and shares the legislation she’s helped make possible so far. She also shares why tackling stigma and isolation is so key to future progress on this issue and the personal traits that she’s depended on the most to overcome hurdles and challenges. About this episode: The Reform Alliance: Young Global Leaders: Future of Leadership Series: Jessica is a Young Global Leader, a group of more than 1,400 innovators, entrepreneurs, technology pioneers, educators, activists, artists, journalists, and more, working to make change happen. This is the first in an ongoing series spotlighting leaders from this community. 

What's a piece of advice that changed you for the better? In this special episode of Meet The Leader, top leaders from Microsoft, to IKEA to the International Monetary Fund and more share the feedback that was so meaningful and compelling they'd applied it throughout their careers. Learn the tough moments and powerful feedback that led to turning points and transformations, nudging leaders to reflect, change course, listen in new ways and change how they react to scale their impact.   Transcript: Featured in this episode: Olajumoke Adekeye, Founder, Young Business Agency Tejpaul Bhatia, CRO, Axiom Space Ulrika Biesert, CHRO, Ingka Group / IKEA Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund Daphne Koller, CEO, insitro Annette Mosman, CEO, APG Nigina Muntean, Chief of Innovation, UNFPA Sander van 't Noordende, CEO, Randstad Christopher Oakes, CEO, Reefgen Madison O'Brien, Customer Success and Community Lead, Teamgage Alexi Robichaux, CEO, Better Up  Fidelma Russo, CTO, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President, Microsoft