Many companies seem perfect on paper, only to find yourself discouraged, disengaged, and ready to leave once you work. Culture and experience shape our work more than job titles or company names ever could. In today’s Leadership Spark, we’ll look into what truly makes or breaks the employee experience. I break down the Employee Experience Equation: culture, technology, and physical space—three elements any organization can control to build an environment where employees thrive. We’ll cover how these elements impact your work and personal growth. Listen in to learn how to identify (and create!) a workplace where you want to be, not just where you have to be.

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Every business leader is faced with the challenge of adapting to change in today’s fast-moving world, but creating a solid, long-term strategy is often easier said than done. In today’s episode, Seth Godin, an influential entrepreneur, author of 22 books, and one of the world’s most popular bloggers, breaks down what most leaders get wrong about strategy—confusing it with tactics. He explains why strategy is a long-term philosophy, not a step-by-step plan, and how major change agents like AI, the fading influence of Boomers, are reshaping the business landscape. Seth shares why these shifts are inevitable and how leaders need to respond if they want to stay relevant. We also tackle deep insights on how companies like Netflix successfully disrupted themselves to stay ahead and emphasizes the importance of foresight in navigating these changes.

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What’s the ROI of vulnerability at work? It’s big—personally and professionally. In today’s Leadership Spark, I explore why being a vulnerable leader pays off. We’ll break down the concept of Mismatch Theory—why the “tough boss” style of the past doesn’t cut it today and why leaders who don’t evolve may get left behind. Vulnerability—when done right—not only boosts your team’s trust and engagement but also directly contributes to business success. Yet, less than 11% of employees view vulnerability as a strength in their leaders, which leaves a lot of untapped potential.

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During times of rapid growth and disruption, aligning teams and sustaining a strong culture can be daunting, but Diego Barreto, CEO of iFood, has successfully led his company to unicorn status by focusing on these essentials. In this episode, we dive into his leadership strategies, exploring why team mobilization is central to a CEO’s role and how effective communication fosters alignment. Diego reveals how iFood’s non-negotiable culture supports an entrepreneurial mindset, values radical candor, and encourages big thinking. He shares insights into how iFood adapted during the pandemic, balancing employee comfort with high performance by instilling grit. We also discuss how iFood’s six-month cultural sprints inspire innovation and resilience and examine the role of the “pendulum effect” in guiding flexible leadership strategies.

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How does vulnerability fit into leadership? Being vulnerable as a leader is tricky, but there’s a clear difference between being vulnerable and leading with vulnerability. In today’s Leadership Spark, I share how my own journey with panic attacks reshaped my understanding of vulnerability. Through interviews with executives, I found that while vulnerability in personal life is crucial, in the workplace it’s a different story. Many executives ask if they should project unwavering confidence, or share their struggles? The answer is both! The key is not just exposing your weaknesses but demonstrating how you’re closing the gaps—combining vulnerability with action, as shown by examples from leaders like Fleetwood Grobler and Hollis Harris. Vulnerability alone can be risky, but combine it with action, and you’ve got leadership gold. I also share stories from top executives that illustrate how leading with vulnerability makes all the difference in building trust and resilience.

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Did you know that those most eager to lead might actually be the worst at it? Have you ever worked with a leader who’s always eager to step up, but when they get the role, things fall apart? We often think that leadership is about willingness and eagerness, but recent research shows the opposite—leaders chosen for their desire to lead often perform worse than those randomly selected. In this episode, we break down these surprising insights with Professor David Deming at Harvard Kennedy School. David shares why effective leadership is about having the right skills, not just wanting the role. We dive into key traits like overconfidence, emotional intelligence (EQ), and economic decision-making, and how they play critical roles in leadership success. You’ll learn why overconfidence can backfire and prevent leaders from truly understanding their team. Plus, we discuss how randomly selected managers often outperform eager volunteers and why organizations need to rethink how they develop and choose strong leaders—it’s not just about who raises their hand.

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Can you be strong by showing your weakness at work?

Leadership isn’t just about being strong and visionary, nor is it simply about being vulnerable. It’s about balancing both. In today’s workplace, leaders are faced with a unique dilemma—should they lead with authority or with authenticity? You need to do both. In today’s Leadership Spark, I unpack the critical difference between being vulnerable and leading with vulnerability with insights from 140 CEOs I interviewed. We'll explore how the best leaders aren’t afraid to show their gaps, but they take action to close them. From stories like Hollis Harris at Continental Airlines to Fleetwood Grobler at Sasol, you’ll learn why sharing challenges without a plan can cost you the job, but leading with vulnerability can rebuild entire companies.

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Start your day with the world’s top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: ⁠⁠https://greatleadership.substack.com/