Blunt Wisdom From the World’s Top Executive Coach
Business, Leadership Lynn Thoman Business, Leadership Lynn Thoman

Blunt Wisdom From the World’s Top Executive Coach

If there’s such a thing as a secret to success, Marshall Goldsmith knows it. Perhaps the world’s top executive leadership coach, he’s worked with many CEOs, founders and billionaires and has a deep understanding of how to change behaviors, how to lead, and ultimately, how to succeed in both your career and life. Listen and benefit from what he knows.

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Highlight on Politics: 5 of the World’s Sharpest Minds in Politics 

Highlight on Politics: 5 of the World’s Sharpest Minds in Politics 

Election fever is heating up, and no matter how you plan on voting, these 3 Takeaways excerpts provide valuable insight into our political challenges, plus thoughts on how to resolve them. Guests include Yale Law School Professor Amy Chua; former political consultant and presidential advisor Karl Rove; White House advisor to four U.S. presidents David Gergen; political commentator and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist George Will; and journalist extraordinaire Fareed Zakaria.

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Chew on This: The Founder of Whole Foods Is Bananas for Capitalism
Business, Leadership Lynn Thoman Business, Leadership Lynn Thoman

Chew on This: The Founder of Whole Foods Is Bananas for Capitalism

The story of Whole Foods is the story of its founder, John Mackey, and it’s nothing short of astonishing. Here, this charismatic entrepreneur talks about the fundamentals of success, his own superpowers, why capitalism is a powerful force for progress, and what he believes is the most important thing in life. (It’s not money.) Feast on this conversation.

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Former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet: Leading with Integrity, Truth, and Empathy

Former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet: Leading with Integrity, Truth, and Empathy

Authentic political leadership is in short supply these days. There’s no better person on the topic than the first female President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet. Elected to office twice, she achieved remarkable reforms and had a stunning approval rating of 84%. Here, she talks about the need to tell the truth, defend democracy, be empathetic, and more.

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Are America and the West Really In Decline with Niall Ferguson

Are America and the West Really In Decline with Niall Ferguson

The decline of America and Western civilization is being discussed more loudly these days. But is it true or inevitable? Is the U.S. a waning influence, unraveling from within mainly due to extreme divisiveness? Niall Ferguson, one of the world’s most renowned historians, shares his well-informed perspective. It’s a convo that demands attention.

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These Times Demand This Fascinating Look At How Abraham Lincoln Kept America One Country
Politics & Government, Leadership Lynn Thoman Politics & Government, Leadership Lynn Thoman

These Times Demand This Fascinating Look At How Abraham Lincoln Kept America One Country

With political contentiousness now at a fever pitch and with Presidents Day in mind, there’s much to be gained by learning about the savvy genius and deep kindness of Abraham Lincoln. Here, acclaimed author Ed Achorn provides a fascinating, warts-and-all look at how this brilliant and inspiring man helped keep America one country.

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Starbucks Board Chair Mellody Hobson’s Life Sounds Like Fiction, But It’s Fact. Here, She Discusses Her Success.
Self, Business, Leadership Lynn Thoman Self, Business, Leadership Lynn Thoman

Starbucks Board Chair Mellody Hobson’s Life Sounds Like Fiction, But It’s Fact. Here, She Discusses Her Success.

Mellody Hobson’s life—from her tough Chicago childhood to becoming Starbucks board chair to her marriage to George Lucas — has shattered stereotypes. Here, the president and co-CEO of Ariel Investments talks about pursuing excellence, how to become indispensable, tricks for managing time, the need to take risks, and much more.

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Former Ford and Boeing CEO Alan Mulally On Love By Design, The Secret Behind Two Remarkable Turnarounds
Business, Leadership Lynn Thoman Business, Leadership Lynn Thoman

Former Ford and Boeing CEO Alan Mulally On Love By Design, The Secret Behind Two Remarkable Turnarounds

How did legendary business leader Alan Mulally rescue both Ford and Boeing? With a detailed set of principles and practices he calls love by design. Inspired by the teachings of his parents, this cultural manifesto stresses love and respect for all participants, radical honesty and humility, and an ironclad commitment to the greater good.

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Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?
Leadership, Society Lynn Thoman Leadership, Society Lynn Thoman

Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?

Why do we have so many incompetent male leaders in both government and the private sector? According to a University College London professor, we focus too much on stylistic indicators like charisma and confidence. What are the best traits for effective leaders? Are female leaders different? Who are examples of great leaders? Listen and learn.

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New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy Reveals Why It’s Useful To Sometimes Get Your Teeth Kicked In
Politics & Government, Leadership Lynn Thoman Politics & Government, Leadership Lynn Thoman

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy Reveals Why It’s Useful To Sometimes Get Your Teeth Kicked In

One of America’s most popular governors, Phil Murphy (Dem. NJ), lowers his guard and reveals what life is really like as governor, what surprised him most about the job, why he’s a work in progress, his thoughts on partisanship, how he’s been successful in four different careers, and more.

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General David Petraeus Continues His Brilliant Analysis of the Ukraine War — Plus China, Cyber and Other Threats

General David Petraeus Continues His Brilliant Analysis of the Ukraine War — Plus China, Cyber and Other Threats

Former CIA Director and General David Petraeus (Ret.) continues his brilliant, in-depth analysis of the Ukraine war, including whether or not Putin will use nuclear weapons and the risks of a wider war. Also hear his expert views on China, the battlefield of cyberspace, threats posed by Iran, N. Korea and Islamic terrorists, plus the stunning new importance of NATO. Don’t miss this remarkable talk with a remarkable man.

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Former CIA Director David Petraeus Provides His Expert, Riveting Take on the Russia Ukraine War

Former CIA Director David Petraeus Provides His Expert, Riveting Take on the Russia Ukraine War

Former CIA Director and General David Petraeus (Ret.), one of the most brilliant military leaders of our generation, talks as only he can about the Ukraine war — how it will end, the likelihood of Putin going nuclear, the risk of a wider war, the weapons Ukraine needs to prevail, and more. Be sure to listen to Part 2 of this engrossing talk next week.

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Harvard University President Lawrence Bacow: The Value of a College Education & Investing in the Future
Education, Leadership, Society Lynn Thoman Education, Leadership, Society Lynn Thoman

Harvard University President Lawrence Bacow: The Value of a College Education & Investing in the Future

Lawrence Bacow, President of Harvard University, shares how he sees the future of education and the values he leads by at Harvard. Learn the role of universities in a democracy, the importance of teaching students to think critically and why he believes the value of a liberal education is higher than ever.

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The Leadership These Times Demand – with Vik Malhotra, McKinsey’s Chairman of the Americas
Business, Leadership Lynn Thoman Business, Leadership Lynn Thoman

The Leadership These Times Demand – with Vik Malhotra, McKinsey’s Chairman of the Americas

Being a leader of any organization today may be more difficult than ever. What enables some leaders to thrive while others fail? What are some of the qualities and actions vital for success?

Vik Malhotra, McKinsey and Company’s Chairman of the Americas, shares his insights from interviewing and advising today’s elite business leaders. He is a co-author of the New York Times bestseller, CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest.

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Harvard Business Review Editor in Chief Adi Ignatius: The New World of Work and the Biggest Trends in Business
Business, Leadership Lynn Thoman Business, Leadership Lynn Thoman

Harvard Business Review Editor in Chief Adi Ignatius: The New World of Work and the Biggest Trends in Business

Adi Ignatius, Editor in Chief of Harvard Business Review, shares the biggest trends in the business world right now and how he sees the new world of work – including the future of the workplace, innovation and leadership.

As Editor in Chief he oversees editorial activities at HBR, HBR.org, and HBR's book-publishing unit. He was previously deputy managing editor of Time and bureau chief of the Wall Street Journal in Beijing and Moscow.

Adi is the editor of two books: "President Obama: The Path to the White House" and "Prisoner of the State: The Secret Diaries of Premier Zhao Ziyang." Both made the New York Times' bestseller list. He is the host of the Harvard Business Review video series “The New World of Work” - candid conversations on talent, tech, and the future of business.

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Army General (Ret.) Stanley McChrystal: "The Greatest Risk Is Us" - So What is the Solution?
Military, Leadership, Society Lynn Thoman Military, Leadership, Society Lynn Thoman

Army General (Ret.) Stanley McChrystal: "The Greatest Risk Is Us" - So What is the Solution?

Former Commander of Afghanistan General (Ret.) Stanley McChrystal shares lessons from Afghanistan, the impact of the withdrawal, what makes a great leader and what he is most proud of in his career. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates has described General McChrystal as, "Perhaps the finest warrior and leader of men in combat I have ever met." Learn what General McChrystal believes to be the biggest risk facing the U.S. and the solution.

Gen. McChrystal rose to four-star general in the U.S. Army and Commander of both the International Security Assistance Force and Commander of the U.S. Forces in Afghanistan. He previously served as Director of the Joint Staff and as Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command.

He is the author of several books, including Leaders and Risk, and is currently a senior fellow at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and co-founder of the McChrystal Group, a leadership consulting firm.

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General Catalyst Chairman and Former American Express Chairman & CEO Ken Chenault: Leadership, Race & Creating Diverse Workforces
Business, Leadership, Society Lynn Thoman Business, Leadership, Society Lynn Thoman

General Catalyst Chairman and Former American Express Chairman & CEO Ken Chenault: Leadership, Race & Creating Diverse Workforces

Former American Express Chairman and CEO and current General Catalyst Chairman and Managing Director Ken Chenault, shares his thoughts on leadership, race, creating diverse workforces, responsible innovation, and his hope for the future. Ken covers his early life, growing up, his experience leading American Express for nearly two decades through crises and digital transformation, and the advice he gives founders and CEOs building innovative, enduring companies backed by General Catalyst.

Upon Ken’s retirement from American Express, Warren Buffett, the company’s largest shareholder stated, “Ken's been the gold standard for corporate leadership and the benchmark that I measure others against.” Ken is recognized as one of the business world’s experts on brands and brand management. He has been honored by multiple publications including Fortune Magazine, which named him as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders in its inaugural list in 2014 and, most recently, in 2021.

Ken serves on the boards of Airbnb, Berkshire Hathaway, Chief, Guild Education, and the Harvard Corporation. He is a co-founder of OneTen, a coalition of leading executives coming together to upskill, hire and advance one million Black Americans over the next 10 years into family-sustaining jobs with opportunities for advancement. He also serves on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Smithsonian Institution’s Advisory Council for the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

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