World Reimagined
Nasdaq
Subscribe
A leadership podcast for a changing world. Host Gautam Mukunda explores what it takes to lead through times of change and crisis — featuring unexpected conversations with global leaders across different fields and industries.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
Dec 13, 2022
Embracing Risk-Taking in Leadership: Knowing When to Say Yes with Annie Duke and Paul Misener
Innovation always requires some level of risk. For leaders, this means taking the right risks and knowing when to walk away. How do leaders make decisions when the outcome is uncertain? How do they create a culture that promotes innovation and enables risk taking?
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Annie Duke, Cognitive Scientist, Decision Strategist, and Author of Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, and Paul Misener, the VP of Global Innovation Policy and Communication at Amazon about the process of decision-making and innovation in uncertain conditions.
Resources:
Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts, by Annie Duke
Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, by Annie Duke
“If we are not failing ever, we are not trying hard enough; we are not being innovative enough.” — Paul Misener, VP of Global Innovation Policy and Communications at Amazon
“There's a time-accuracy trade-off when we're making decisions. The more time we take, usually, the more accuracy we're going to accrue. The less time we take, the less accuracy we're going to accrue.” — Annie Duke, Author of Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, Decision Strategist and Former Professional Poker Player
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
For more information on this episode’s guest please visit:
Nasdaq.com/world-reimagined-podcast
playlist_add
Nov 29, 2022
Building a Winning Team with Daniel Coyle and Vlatko Andonovski
Great leaders recognize that it takes more than talent to build a winning team. The culture and cohesion of a team can make or break it. It’s up to leaders to cultivate an environment that empowers people and promotes growth and opportunity.
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Daniel Coyle, Award-Winning New York Times bestselling author of The Talent Code, The Culture Code and more and Vlatko Andonovski, Head Coach of the U.S. women’s national team, about the secrets of creating a world-class team.
“Performance in business is actually a learning contest." - Daniel Coyle, Award-Winning New York Times bestselling author of The Talent Code, The Culture Code and more
“I think that’s what drives me, the challenge to do something that has never been done before.” - Vlatko Andonovski, Head Coach of the United States Women’s National Soccer Team
Resources:
Books by Daniel Coyle
Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
For more information on this episode’s guest please visit:
Nasdaq.com/world-reimagined-podcast
playlist_add
Nov 25, 2022
BONUS: When Leadership Matters Most with General Stanley McChrystal & Gautam Mukunda
In this bonus feature, World Reimagined is turning the table on its host, Gautam Mukunda. Interviewed by his good friend, General Stan McChrystal, Gautam discusses the inspiration behind his newest book, Picking Presidents, shares what leadership means to him, and reveals who his ultimate hero is. Gautam also gets a second chance at answering the presidential history question that ended his reign on the TV show Jeopardy! many years ago.
Resources:
The Face of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme, by John Keegan
Picking Presidents: How to Make the Most Consequential Decision in the World, by Gautam Mukunda
Tigana, by Guy Gavriel Kay
“If you want to solve a problem about leadership, the presidency is uniquely fertile ground.” — Gautam Mukunda, Author of Picking Presidents & Host of The World Reimagined Podcast
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
For more information on this episode’s guest please visit:
Nasdaq.com/world-reimagined-podcast
playlist_add
Nov 15, 2022
Pioneering Leadership with Jennifer Doudna and Esther Duflo
Today’s changing world faces continuous social, economic, and environmental
challenges—from disease to natural disaster to war. The leaders stepping up to solve these
issues possess deep ambition, vision, and skills to bring their ideas to life.
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Jennifer Doudna, Ph.D., Professor of
Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley and Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry
and Esther Duflo, Ph.D., Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics at MIT
and Nobel Prize Winner in Economic Sciences. Together, they discuss how great leaders can
pioneer breakthroughs and effectively enact change—from discovery to implementation.
Resources:
Poor Economics by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo
Good Economics for Hard Times by Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo
“There are so many things I kind of wish I had known early in my career, but the big ones for me
are, first and foremost, that each person is an individual and has their own sets of passions,
strengths, weaknesses, desires.” – Jennifer Doudna, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry and
Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley
“Try to avoid micromanaging people. You get much more done if you can trust someone to run
with it.” - Esther Duflo, Ph.D., Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics at
MIT
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
For more information on this episode’s guest please visit:
Nasdaq.com/world-reimagined-podcast
playlist_add
Nov 1, 2022
How Great Leaders Unlock Innovation with Josh Wolfe and Mike Pell
While technology is a key driver of advancement and disruption, technology itself does
not produce innovation. It’s the people that make it possible—and the leaders who
aren’t afraid to take risks, admit when they’re wrong, and face failure head on.
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Josh Wolfe, Founding Partner and
Managing Director of Lux Capital and Mike Pell, Envisioneer and Director at the
Microsoft Garage in NYC about how leaders should approach and encourage innovation,
and lead employees in a technology-driven world.
“I like to say that chips on shoulders put chips in pockets, in part because it is often
predictive of somebody that is going to be relentless against adversity.” – Josh Wolfe,
Founding Partner and Managing Director of Lux Capital
“Tech enables amazing, incredible new things we could never do before, but it's always,
for me, the people part that is far more interesting and far more powerful.” – Mike Pell,
Envisioneer, Director, The Microsoft Garage - NYC
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
For more information on this episode’s guest please visit:
Nasdaq.com/world-reimagined-podcast
playlist_add
Oct 18, 2022
Creating Culture in a Hybrid Workplace with Ben Michaelis and Kevin Delaney
Research shows that strong comradery and collaboration among coworkers is essential
for building successful organizations. And in today’s world of hybrid work, it’s perhaps
more important than ever. It’s up to leaders to create a culture that prioritizes these
positive co-working relationships and fosters employee engagement.
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Ben Michealis, Co-founder and CEO
of the group.io, and Kevin Delaney, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Charter, about how
leaders can build successful teams in this new world of work. The duo discusses the
importance of bringing humanity to work, while maintaining boundaries between work
and personal life.
“The quiet quitting and Great Resignation are diagnostics on businesses.” — Kevin
Delaney, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief of Charter
“So much of the problem is we get into these sorts of momentary, transactional
relationships where it's just about what is the transaction, as opposed to the larger
picture, which is the broad relationship of how do we, how are we relating to one
another long term?” - Ben Michaelis, Co-Founder and CEO of Group.io
Resources:
Sleeping with Your Smartphone: How to Break the 24/7 Habit and Change the Way You
Work, by Leslie A. Perlow
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, by Charles Duhigg
Smarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business, by Charles
Duhigg
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
For more information on this episode’s guest please visit:
Nasdaq.com/world-reimagined-podcast
playlist_add
Sep 20, 2022
Leading with Humor with Joey Zwillinger, Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas
Laughter not only feels good, but it’s good for your mental and physical health. It reduces stress, promotes creativity, and helps people feel more connected. It can also help make you a more effective leader.
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas, co-authors of Humor, Seriously, and Joey Zwillinger, Co-founder and CEO of Allbirds about why and how leaders should use humor to unite and motivate employees and improve their work culture.
“You often hear people suggest that great leaders tend to be vulnerable leaders. I think that humor can be such a great tool to unlock vulnerability.” — Joey Zwillinger, Co-founder and CEO of Allbirds
“Humor is this powerful way to get serious things done. I think part of it is upending this deeply ingrained cultural corporate belief that humor and seriousness are at odds.” — Naomi Bagdonas, Lecturer at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and Author of Humor, Seriously
“Creativity and humor are inextricably linked.” — Jennifer Aaker, General Atlantic Professor at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and Author of Humor, Seriously
Resources:
Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (And how Anyone Can Harness It. Even You.) by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
For more information on this episode’s guest please visit:
Nasdaq.com/world-reimagined-podcast
playlist_add
Jul 26, 2022
Pushing Boundaries to Achieve the Impossible with Vivian James Rigney and Deborah Wahl
Whether you’re looking to climb a mountain in sub-zero temperatures or reverse decades of economic hardship, leading in impossible situations requires stepping outside your comfort zone. How can leaders create a culture that encourages people to bring all their strengths to the table? How can authentic and vulnerable leadership inspire a team to work together to achieve the impossible?
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Vivian James Rigney, President of Executive Coaching firm Inside Us LLC and the author of Naked at the Knife-Edge and Deborah Wahl the Global CMO of General Motors about what it really takes to defy the odds and accomplish larger-than-life goals.
“This word: vulnerability. This is a strength, and it's a strength to want to be curious, it's a strength to ask for help.” — Vivian James Rigney
“I think failure has so many negative connotations in business life. No one wants to fail, but yet it's the failures that drive us to the most incredible successes.”— Deborah Wahl
Resources:
* Naked at the Knife-Edge: What Everest Taught Me about Leadership and the Power of Vulnerability by Vivian James Rigney
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
For more information on this episode’s guest please visit:
* Nasdaq.com/world-reimagined-podcast
Learn more about TDAmeritrade:
* https://www.tdameritrade.com/
* https://www.tdameritrade.com/tools-and-platforms/trader-offering.html
playlist_add
Jul 12, 2022
Leading by Learning with Amy Edmondson
Effective communication and meaningful candor are the backbone of success for most teams, but they don’t come naturally – these skills have to be learned. In order to drive this success, leaders must create a culture of learning within their organizations. What are the tactics leaders can implement to achieve that learning culture? How can you become a leader that cultivates an environment of open feedback?
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Amy Edmondson, Harvard Business School’s Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management, about how and why leaders should strive to create a culture of psychological safety in the workplace.
“You're trying to create an environment where people are able and aware to keep learning. That that's just recognized as essential…I think we're very much in a culture of knowing rather than a culture of learning.”
— Amy Edmondson
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
For more information on this episode’s guest please visit:
Nasdaq.com/world-reimagined-podcast
Learn more about TDAmeritrade:
https://www.tdameritrade.com/
https://www.tdameritrade.com/tools-and-platforms/trader-offering.html
playlist_add
Jun 28, 2022
Disruptive Leadership and Changing People’s Minds with Nate Blecharczyk and Samaira Mehta
Disrupting an industry takes more than just new ideas and a desire to shake things up. It takes vision, passion, and relentless innovation. And sometimes it means more than just changing the business landscape; it means changing people’s minds. How can leaders harness disruption to build a business that creates change? How can they convince customers to come along for the ride?
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Airbnb Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Nate Blecharczyk and Founder and CEO of CoderBunnyz, Samaira Mehta about the challenges associated with changing people’s perceptions to create industry-defining disruption.
“It's important to use those mistakes and those failures as building blocks and reapply them to create a path that will lead you to success.” — Samaira Mehta
“If you’re persistent enough to keep trying, then all that learning will pay dividends in the long run.” — Nate Blecharczyk
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
For more information on this episode’s guest please visit:
Nasdaq.com/world-reimagined-podcast
Learn more about TDAmeritrade:
https://www.tdameritrade.com/
https://www.tdameritrade.com/tools-and-platforms/trader-offering.html
playlist_add
Jun 14, 2022
Leading with Transparency with Sid Sijbrandij and Rebecca Blumenstein
As a leader, transparency can be a tricky topic to navigate. It’s often framed as an end-goal -- an inherent good that all leaders should aspire to -- but full transparency just isn't possible in most industries. So, how should leaders think about transparency in the workplace? How can they use it to motivate and inspire their teams? When should they share, and why?
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with GitLab’s co-founder and CEO Sid Sijbrandij and the Deputy Managing Editor of the New York Times Rebecca Blumenstein about how being intentional with transparency can result in authenticity, honesty and openness in workplace culture.
“Companies that are more forthcoming about their challenges and their problems generally fare much better.” — Rebecca Blumenstein
“What’s really important is that we’re transparent by default. So, things are public by default unless we have a good reason not to do that.” — Sid Sijbrandij
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email…
playlist_add
May 31, 2022
Leading with Humility with Doug Conant and Lisa Osborne Ross
In our increasingly complex world, leaders have to manage more challenges, stakeholders, and scenarios than ever before. To grow an organization amidst all of this, how can leaders create a proactive profile that enables them to manage in a constructive way? How can they put people first, without sacrificing growth, and still be remembered as an impactful leader?
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with founder of ConantLeadership and former CEO of Campbell Soup Company, Doug Conant, and the CEO of Edelman U.S., Lisa Osborne Ross, about how a leader’s ability to orchestrate an organization with integrity, empathy, and confidence can leave an enduring contribution.
“The more you sharpen your leadership skills it’s amazing how much better your gut gets.” — Doug Conant
“If you put people first, profitability follows.” — Lisa Osborne Ross
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
Literature Referenced:
Good to Great: Why Some Compan…
playlist_add
May 17, 2022
Leading with Empathy and the Power of Regret with Daniel Pink
Our regrets influence the way we engage and interact with the world. Having the ability to reflect and learn from these moments gives us the perspective to better lead while understanding the context, experiences and feelings of others. How can leaders reflect on these defining experiences and moments of regret to make them more empathetic leaders? How can empathy help leaders become more effective?
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Daniel Pink, author of five New York Times bestsellers, including The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward, about how leading with trust and empathy can transform workplaces and change how we see the world.
“In the architecture of regret, people tend to regret inactions more than actions.” — Daniel Pink
“You don’t want to be the leader you had. You want to be the leader you should have had.” — Daniel Pink
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
Literature Referenced:
The Powe…
playlist_add
May 3, 2022
Trusted Leadership: How Brands Can Build and Lose Trust with Jeremy Skule & Guy Kawasaki
In today’s era of uncertainty, trust has never been more important. This presents an opportunity for organizations and leaders to step up on important topics to drive change and foster meaningful connections with customers, employees, and communities.
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda is joined by Jeremy Skule, Chief Strategy Officer at Nasdaq and Guy Kawasaki, Chief Evangelist at Canva and former Chief Evangelist at Apple to discuss how to build brand trust through authenticity, transparency, and integrity.
“Building up trust takes decades, years, at least. Losing trust can happen in a matter of seconds.” — Jeremy Skule
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
Literature Referenced:
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, by Robert D. Putnam
For more information on this episode’s guests please visit:
Nasdaq.com/world-reimagined-podcast
Learn more about TDAmeritrade:
https://www.tdameritrade.…
playlist_add
Apr 19, 2022
Purpose-Driven Leadership: The Power of Storytelling with Nate Mook & Vincent Stanley
Good leaders change their organizations. Great leaders change the world. But even the best leaders, committed to making the world a better place, can face an uphill battle with constant, expected tradeoffs between purpose and profit. How can leaders navigate purpose, profit, and impact? How can they drive change in the world while also unlocking long-term, sustainable value for stakeholders?
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda speaks with purpose-driven leaders Nate Mook and Vincent Stanley on the importance of storytelling for inspiring change and accelerating impact within organizations and the world more broadly. Nate Mook is a tech entrepreneur, storyteller and documentary producer who now serves as the CEO of World Central Kitchen, a non-profit NGO dedicated to providing nutritious food to people in the wake of natural disasters. Vincent Stanley is the co-author of "The Responsible Company" and Patagonia’s Director of Philosophy.
“The way you tell a story also becomes, in a…
playlist_add
Aug 31, 2021
Inclusive Leadership: Closing the Digital Divide with Ajay Banga and Bhaskar Chakravorti
Today’s increasingly digital world brings with it possibilities to create a more inclusive and accessible global economy. But, unless action is taken to enhance digital inclusion, the world may become more divided than ever before.
In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with two leaders dedicated to digital inclusion who explain how to earn people’s trust and create a more inclusive world.
Ajay Banja is the Executive Chairman of Mastercard, after serving as President and CEO for almost 10 years. Under his tenure, Mastercard launched a program to bring 500 million people across 80 countries into the global financial system, and one billion by 2025. Bhaskar Chakravorti is the Dean of Global Business at the Fletcher School of Diplomacy at Tufts, the author of The Slow Pace of Fast Change, and a former partner at McKinsey.
I think companies can set their examples and can lead by what they do...In totality, I think companies, corporations, need to start thinking about what role…
playlist_add
Aug 24, 2021
Collaborative Intelligence: Leading in the Age of AI with Shawn Bice & Nick Beim
While the benefits of AI are undeniable, it’s not yet clear exactly how it will define the role of tomorrow’s leaders. In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with two industry leaders with unique vantage points on how AI is transforming the world around us and redefining the future of leadership.
Shawn Bice is the president of Products and Technology at Splunk, the world’s first Data-to-Everything platform designed to remove the barriers between data and action. And, Nick Beim, partner at Venrock, is one of the world’s leading investors in AI, software, and fintech and is also on the Board of the Council on Foreign Relations.
“The AI revolution will force a philosophical reexamination of how we make our most important decisions in different spheres of society... It's almost as if by encountering a new form of intelligence, we learn more about ourselves and become more conscious and deliberate about how we make decisions.” — Nick Beim
“I think leaders that have…
playlist_add
Aug 17, 2021
Operational Leadership: Accelerating Innovation in Healthcare with Dr. Raj Garg and Les Funtleyder
The healthcare industry is one of the largest and most consequential sectors in the United States—but it’s also one of the most complicated. This unique complexity makes it challenging for the operational change and innovation the industry desperately needs in order to better serve citizens.
In contrast, the inherently innovative tech sector is not only a huge component of the U.S. economy, but it also plays a pivotal role in accelerating change across all other industries. In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Les Funtleyder and Dr. Raj Garg about what leaders can learn from combining the fast-paced innovations in tech with the cautious and deliberate rhythms of the healthcare industry.
Les is a portfolio manager at E Squared Capital Management, and the author of Healthcare Investing, and he sits on the boards of Applied Therapeutics and Acalis. Dr. Raj Garg was the former President and CEO of Cancer Treatment Centers of America, he was also one of the most trusted ad…
playlist_add
Aug 10, 2021
Leading into the Unknown: Inspiring the Impossible with NASA’s Holly Ridings
Leaders can’t surpass the achievements of the past by sticking to the ways of the past. They must continuously challenge the status quo to inspire teams to break new ground and achieve new possibilities. Few organizations embody this approach to leadership as well as NASA.
In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with NASA’s Chief Flight Director, Holly Ridings about how to build a diverse culture of collaboration, innovation, and disruption. She also discusses how to lead through insurmountable challenges and inspire teams to reach new heights. Holly was the lead flight director for Expedition 16 and SpaceX Dragon. In her current role, she is responsible for the safety and success of human spaceflight at NASA.
“I’m always pushing the envelope because in my opinion, as leaders of human spaceflight we have to disrupt ourselves in order to stay ahead and be relevant in terms of leadership. If we are not disrupting ourselves then how do we lead the industry through all of the…
playlist_add
Aug 3, 2021
Unifying Leadership: Building on Common Ground with Katie Harbath and Michael Slaby
We don’t often think about common ground as a forum for disagreement. But the most productive discourse often requires first identifying a shared set of goals, facts, or ideas. How can today’s leaders help build an environment of mutual understanding, respect, and productive disagreement in an increasingly divisive world? What role do technology and the internet play in helping people find and create common ground?
In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with two digital strategists about the role of commonality in productive dialogue and debate and the impacts that technology has had on building common ground. Katie Harbath was Facebook's Public Policy Director before founding Anchor Change, a consulting firm dedicated to upholding democracy and stopping the spread of misinformation around elections. Michael Slaby, author of For ALL the People and Chief Strategist at Harmony Labs, was the Deputy Digital Director and Chief Technology Officer during Barack Obama’s 2008 pres…
playlist_add
Jul 27, 2021
Intuitive Leadership: When Every Decision Matters with General Stan McChrystal & Alex Honnold
For most leaders, failure is not a matter of life or death. But for some, making life-or-death decisions is part of the job. What can high-risk decision-making teach us about the more ordinary and conventional risk leaders assume every day? What roles do preparation and instinct play in this process? How can leaders become better at conquering a fear of failure in order to make hard decisions?
In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks about risk and high-stake decision-making with two remarkable individuals who have spent their lives doing the impossible in the face of enormous danger. General Stan McChrystal is a retired four-star general, former Head of Joint Special Operations Command in Afghanistan, and the founder and CEO of the McCrystal Group. Alex Honnold is a professional adventure rock climber, who is known for his free solo ascents, most notably El Capitán as documented in the movie Free Solo.
“The more often you encounter the unexpected, the more comfortable you feel…
playlist_add
Jul 20, 2021
Good Economics: The Power of Putting People First with Noah Smith and Betsey Stevenson
Today’s shifting economic and political landscape is reshaping the American labor market. But amid all of the change is an opportunity to create a better workforce for the future. What are the forces at play in our current labor market? How will these changes impact employees in the long term? What role should leaders play in creating a workforce that puts its people first?
This week, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with two experts about the new administration’s economic policy agenda. Noah Smith has a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan, taught finance at Stony Brook University, writes a column on economics for Bloomberg, and a substack newsletter, Noahpinion. Dr. Betsey Stevenson is a Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the University of Michigan, was a member of President Obama’s Economic Advisors, and hosts the think tank podcast Think Like an Economist.
“Necessity is the mother of invention, to say that, you know what, we've had so many bad shocks by t…
playlist_add
Jul 13, 2021
Courageous Leadership: The Journey of a Generalist with Reshma Saujani and David Epstein
In a world of specialists, a generalist’s broad range of knowledge and expertise can actually make his or her team much better. But, being a generalist requires grit and courage. The courage to raise your hand, to take chances, and to be confident in your ability to tackle any subject.
However, in a world that most often rewards specialists, where and how can generalists shine? What benefits and learnings can leaders draw from focusing on generalization, versus specialization?
This week, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with two trailblazers who have reinvented their careers by way of passion, diversity, and failure. David Epstein, the New York Times bestselling author of Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, shares thoughts about how generalism is at the core of true innovation. And Reshma Saujani, who is the first Indian-American woman to run for U.S. Congress and the Founder of Girls Who Code, discusses how failure-bred resiliency inspires confidence.
“Being a gene…
playlist_add
Jun 29, 2021
The Rise of Responsible Leadership: How CEOs Can Create Change with Mohamad Ali and Cornell William Brooks
Today, business leaders have the power to create positive change. Not just within their organizations, but in society and in the world more broadly.
In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Reverend Cornell William Brooks, former head of the NAACP and the Professor of Practice and Public Leadership and Social Justice at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Mohamad Ali, CEO of International Data Group, about the challenges and opportunities of corporations in the wake of COVID-19, profound social and economic upheaval, the death of George Floyd, and Black Lives Matter.
“So, in terms of this moment in which we find ourselves, in terms of ethical leadership, and responsibility of those in the business community, I would just simply say this, that on a regular and recurring basis, people in the business community are charged with the responsibility of delivering products, and services for this country are not merely disaggregated marketplaces, but a democracy and republic.”…
playlist_add
Jun 22, 2021
Presidential Leadership: The Balance of Power with John Dickerson
To lead is to exercise power. And to do it well, one must have expertise and character. Perhaps no one understands this better than the President of the United States of America. What can we learn from the Presidency about how to use power – and when?
In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with John Dickerson, Chief Political Analyst at CBS News, about what it takes to wield the power of the Presidency. John has reported on the presidency for over 30 years. He has reported for Slate, Time Magazine, and CBS News. His most recent book, The Hardest Job in the World: The American Presidency is a New York Times Bestseller.
“People require having been tested in their lives so that when they get the keys to the fancy car of the presidency they have some familiarity with what it's like to deal with serious things and be on the spot or else they're going to make decisions and have reactions that are going to be unsorted and disorganized.”
— John Dickerson
“I think the overwhe…
playlist_add
Jun 15, 2021
Transformational Leadership: How to Be a Catalyst for Change with Cynthia Carroll and Frances Frei
Great leaders have the insight to see what the right thing to do is, the skill to do it, and the courage to do it even when it is hard. When those three things come together, the impact a great leader can have and the number of lives they can touch are vast.
In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with two phenomenal leaders who have completely upended, transformed, and positively impacted the culture of their respective organizations. As CEO of Anglo American, Cynthia Carroll was the first female CEO of a major mining organization and in 2008, Forbes listed her as the fifth most powerful woman in the world. In 2017 Frances Frei served as Senior Vice President of Uber, and radically changed the toxic culture into one the employees could be proud of. She is currently a Professor of Technology and Operations Management at Harvard Business School.
“I was relentlessly optimistic and rigorous about the future, and I think if you have a rigorous and optimistic way forward, coupled w…
playlist_add
Jun 8, 2021
Setting a Gold Standard of Leadership: A Day in the Life of Dallas Fed CEO Rob Kaplan
Imagine determining the course of the American economy.
Twelve people in the United States actually have that job. They sit on the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee. Their votes affect hundreds of millions of people. And it’s just one of their many responsibilities.
Rob Kaplan is one of those twelve. How does he do it? He focuses on communication - no small task when you help lead one of the most tight-lipped institutions on the planet.
In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Rob Kaplan, the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, a giant institution responsible for everything from setting interest rates to keeping the economy growing at a steady pace to running a contest on economic analysis for high school students. Kaplan has a long and distinguished career in global finance, notably serving as the Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs. He is the author of several bestselling books, and served ten years as a professor at Harvard Business School.
“W…
playlist_add
Mar 30, 2021
Sustainable Leadership: Creating a Climate for Change with Rebecca Henderson and Spencer Glendon
Economic growth demands a stable climate. So, what happens when that stability starts to erode? What becomes of our economy when it is too hot to go outside for six months of the year? Or, when the coastal cities of the world are no longer inhabitable? What does this mean for business?
Climate change is a systemic risk to the global economy.
However, it is a collective risk and, if we take collective action across industries and around the world, we can mitigate the worst effects of climate change. However, we must act quickly.
In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with Rebecca Henderson, one of 25 University Professors at Harvard and the author of Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire, and Spencer Glendon, an economist and senior fellow at Woodwell Climate Research Center, about saving the planet, the future of capitalism, advocating for good regulation and better government, and the idea of investing in the future without financial return.
“If we decided we wanted to…
playlist_add
Mar 23, 2021
High-Performance Leadership: Excelling On and Off the Field with Jerod Mayo
What drives a Super Bowl champion, a top-notch angel investor, a healthcare executive, and a coach for the ultimate NFL dynasty?
Today’s guest, Jerod Mayo knows that growth and opportunity begin with getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. As leaders, how can we get to the point where discomfort is something that we lean into, not away from? We all start as rookies but not all of us become champions, and what differentiates the two? It may be the desire to never stop learning, and never stop leveling up.
In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with mentor, leader, investor, former linebacker, and current inside linebacker coach for the New England Patriots, Jerod Mayo, about the difference between motivation and discipline, how he uses Impostor Syndrome to his benefit, the importance of asking for help, and what makes Coach Bill Belichick such a powerful leader.
“The guys understood I have no pride here. I have nothing to lose. I’m going to go in there and fight for…
playlist_add
Mar 16, 2021
Immigration Economics: The Power of People with Aarti Shahani
Contrary to conventional wisdom, economic research makes it clear that increased immigration to the U.S. would be a huge boon, spurring innovation, entrepreneurship and long-term economic growth.
Why then are some in politics and the media stoking an anti-immigration sentiment?
Is it possible that fear of cultural disruption is standing in the way of boosting the American economy, improving international relations, jump-starting local communities and driving future innovation?
How does this research change the debate around immigration? What leadership role should companies play? What is their moral responsibility?
In this episode, Host Gautam Mukunda speaks with award-winning NPR journalist, best-selling author, and activist Aarti Shahani about her tenacious campaign to emancipate her father from the threat of deportation and her ongoing advocacy for migrant identity. And Brookings Institute Economist Dany Bahar shares his research on why immigration may be essential for creatin…
playlist_add
Mar 9, 2021
Ethical Leadership: How Disruption Can Help Us Build a Better World
Ethical leadership is both personally rewarding — and incredibly hard. How do ethical entrepreneurs and leaders maintain faith in their vision, pivot when necessary, reconcile unintentional consequences, implement innovation guardrails, and persevere in the face of powerful obstacles? It helps to have a North Star – an unwavering vision for the future and a real sense of who they want to be in the future.
In this episode, Gautam Mukunda speaks with two industry creators, Bodhala CEO Raj Goyle and Twitch Co-founder Justin Kan about what it takes to disrupt the world to build a better one.
“As I became more successful and more recently, I realized that wasn't as fulfilling as I thought. And so now what's really activating for me is to think about things that are maybe a little bit more in service to other people. And that manifests in a bunch of different ways.” – Justin Kan
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter or email us at WorldReimagined@nasdaq.com
Books Referenced:
The F…
playlist_add
Mar 2, 2021
Rules of Innovation: Where Big Ideas Come From
How do you find the next big idea — one that will change business or the world? As the main forces of R&D have moved out of government offices and into private businesses, many organizations lack the structure to properly engage them. How can companies encourage innovation and growth in our fast-moving world? What organizational changes can be implemented to create a structure that nurtures sky-high, implausible ideas that challenge conventional wisdom and lead us to our next innovation revolution?
In this episode, Gautam Mukunda speaks with two best-selling authors and entrepreneurs. The physicist founder of a biotech company, Safi Bahcall, and author, investor, and startup CEO, David Kidder describe how to organize your teams and methods for a breakthrough.
“I'm a huge believer in structure. Regardless of whether a company desires growth or not, most efficiency-driven, short-termism-driven cultures — I like to refer to them as the big to bigger — really are at war with grow…
playlist_add
Feb 23, 2021
Leading with Character: A Conversation with Indra Nooyi and Col. Everett Spain
Leaders model behavior and inspire others to emulate them in their personal lives and on a bigger scale. Just as we have a choice to do the right thing in our personal lives, business leaders have that choice at work. Many strive to be people of good character in all aspects of their lives. But, what does it really mean to be a person of good character? Or, from a business perspective, a company of character? If character is the critical component of ethical leadership, how do we cultivate it in ourselves and in our organizations?
In this episode, Gautam Mukunda speaks with the Head of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at West Point and Soldier’s Medal recipient, Col. Everett Spain and the legendary former CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi about how today’s leaders can model courage to do the right thing.
“The character of a corporation is not the personality. The character of a corporation is the integrity and morality of the company. How much does the company bel…
playlist_add
Feb 16, 2021
Leadership by Design: Creating a Point of View
In a way, the space where we live is an exhibition, a curation of an exact moment in time. As humans, we are constantly assessing the world around us and arranging it to fit our values. But, what factors influence our sense of taste and point of view? What makes something desirable? What methods do designers and leaders apply to contextualize products, information, and experiences people love?
In this episode, Gautam Mukunda speaks with the Head of the Design Lab at Harvard, Dr. Beth Altringer, and the Chair, Art for Europe at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, Dr. Frederick Ilchman about the relationship between design and technology, and how shaping taste is a powerful way to lead.
“Curating properly means to care for something, to preserve it. It's a rather beautiful calling. You are trying to save the best of the past for the present so we can understand what our future is going to be.”
— Dr. Frederick Ilchman
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter
Books Referenced:
Arnhem: The…
playlist_add
Feb 9, 2021
The Power of Connection with Dr. Vivek Murthy and Dr. Tsedal Neeley
New digital tools can allow us to combat loneliness as the world transitions to a predominately remote workplace. But can technology create an experience where people feel a deeper source of connection with one another? Can it mimic the face-to-face environments of the past? One thing we do know: The only way we will be able to overcome this pandemic is if we do it together. But in a time of such intense isolation, how do we reclaim togetherness to solve the problems that plague us?
In this episode, host Gautam Mukunda is joined by President Biden's nominee for Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, and Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School and award-winning author, Dr. Tsedal Neeley to discuss how humans will thrive in the post-pandemic, new world of work.
“Deep human connection is built not through grand gestures, but through those small moments when we stop by and look into someone's lives, allow them to glimpse into what is happening in our lives, and…
playlist_add
Feb 2, 2021
The Art of Innovation with Franklin Leonard
Risk: the tug-of-war between innovation and the looming prospect of failure that is behind the scenes of every business and industry. And few industries see greater tension between innovation and failure than that of motion pictures. So, how do we innovate and transform a risk-averse industry, especially one that shapes our culture and how we see ourselves? In this episode, Gautam Mukunda is joined by the Founder and CEO of the Black List, Franklin Leonard, to discover what can be learned from his experience taking big risks in the film industry, which can lead to losses but also to monumental pay-offs.
“You are always performing your way to freedom when the resources necessary to do what you do are so considerable.”
— Franklin Leonard
Follow @GMukunda on Twitter
Books Referenced:
The Fire Next Time, by James Baldwin
Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, by David W. Blight
Guest Info:
Franklin Leonard is a film and television producer, cultural commentator, and…
playlist_add
Jan 26, 2021
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
In the face of our ever-changing working environments, the stories we tell ourselves will change the way we see the world. Focusing on our strengths and finding meaning in what we do will unlock our best selves and allow us to lead and succeed even when the going gets rough, even when it seems like success and integrity are at odds. In this episode, Gautam Mukunda is joined by serial entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of the Happiness Studies Academy, Tal Ben-Shahar, and blog writer and author Eric Barker to discuss how creating a meaningful narrative can change our experience.
“One of the biggest insights of all of social psychology is that the situation is often more predictive of behavior than individual personality traits. So, leaders need to frame the new experience of work from home.”
— Eric Barker
@gmukunda On Twitter
Books Referenced:
Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment, by Tal Ben-Shahar
The Joy of Leadership: How Positive Psychology…
playlist_add
Jan 18, 2021
Peak Performance: Lessons in High-Stake Leadership
A rapidly-changing world is putting leaders—and their organizations—under stress as never before. In this episode, Gautam Mukunda is joined by former Navy bomb specialist Daniel (Danny) Glenn and biomedical researcher Aleksandra (Sandra) Stankovic to explore human performance in extreme environments and how to lead when the stakes are increasingly high.
Danny is a former Navy Special Operations Officer who was the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Commander for the Special Operations Task Force in Iraq. After the Navy, he was a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University and the CEO of a major family office in California. Sandra is an Assistant Professor at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine. She is an aerospace psychologist, human factors engineer, and spaceflight biomedical researcher who studies human performance in extreme operational environments.
"It's not necessarily strength you want to build, but resilience. The ability to rebound back and forth from periods of intensity…
playlist_add
Jan 18, 2021
“Rebuilding America” with Tom Friedman
Truth and trust are the cornerstones of U.S. democracy. How can the United States, and its leaders, resurrect those central ideas to ensure a viable future for the country and its people?
In this episode, Gautam Mukunda is joined by three-time Pulitzer Prize recipient and prolific author, Thomas Friedman, to discuss weaknesses in American democracy and how to repair them, and what the Biden administration can do to set the U.S. on a trajectory of long-term sustainable growth.
Throughout his career, Thomas Friedman has held various foreign and domestic positions with the New York Times, including Foreign Affairs Op-ed columnist and White House Correspondent. Friedman is the author of seven bestselling books, among them From Beirut to Jerusalem and The World Is Flat, and is a recipient of the National Press Club’s lifetime achievement award.
"We need to go back now and really look at all the things in our society that have been normalizing and monetizing the erosion of truth and…
playlist_add
Jan 16, 2021
Welcome to World Reimagined
A leadership podcast for a changing world. Host Gautam Mukunda explores what it takes to lead through times of change and crisis — featuring unexpected conversations with global leaders across different fields and industries.
playlist_add