This week on the Positive Leadership Podcast, I amjoined by Professor Durreen Shahnaz, a pioneering social entrepreneur, impact investor, and relentless advocate for women’s empowerment.

From growing up in a post-war Bangladesh to becoming the first Bangladeshi woman on Wall Street, Durreen’s journey defies conventions. She left investment banking to join Grameen Bank, and went on to found Impact Investment Exchange (IIX)—home to the world’s first social stock exchange and the groundbreaking Women’s Livelihood Bond.

In this powerful conversation, Durreen shares:

• How her upbringing shaped her belief in using finance for good
• What it means to be a defiant optimist in a system built for exclusion
• The bold vision behind IIX and the practical ways it's transforming lives across the Global South
• How young leaders can challenge the status quo and lead with purpose

Durreen’s work has shifted the paradigm of global finance—proving that profit and purpose can coexist, and that real change comes from the margins.

🎙️ Want more inspiring stories of courageous leadership and positive change?
Check out these standout episodes:

• Indra Nooyi – Driving performance with purpose: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14002537-driving-performance-with-purpose-with-indra-nooyi
• Hannah Ritchie – Not the End of the World: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/15848278-not-the-end-of-the-world-with-hannah-ritchie
• Daniel Goleman – Optimizing your performance with emotional intelligence: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14940410-optimizing-your-performance-with-emotional-intelligence-with-daniel-goleman

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

Barbara Martin Coppola, former CEO of Decathlon, joins us for a powerful conversation on what it means to lead with purpose in today’s fast-changing world.

From her early career in tech at Google and Samsung to leading IKEA's digital transformation and then guiding Decathlon through cultural and strategic reinvention, Barbara shares the lessons she’s learned across continents, industries, and leadership roles.

In this episode, we explore:

• How to navigate and inspire across cultures
• What it takes to transform a legacy brand into a global innovation powerhouse
• The mindset needed to embed sustainability and impact into business strategy
• Her personal leadership principles shaped by experiences in 8 countries

🎧 If you enjoy this episode, you might also like:

• Jesper Brodin (CEO of Ingka/IKEA) - Learning to embrace risk: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/13835787-learning-to-embrace-risk-with-jesper-brodin
• Hubert Joly (former CEO of Best Buy) - Libérer la magie humaine pour réussir: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/10861128-fr-liberer-la-magie-humaine-pour-reussir-avec-hubert-joly
• Whitney Johnson: Growing through personal disruption: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/10797020-growing-through-personal-disruption-with-whitney-johnson

Tune in for a masterclass in global leadership, reinvention, and impact.

▶️ Listen now on your favorite podcast platform.

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

In this episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Rana el Kaliouby, AI scientist, entrepreneur, investor and thought leader in the field of artificial emotional intelligence.

From growing up in Cairo to studying at MIT and co-founding Affectiva, Rana has spent her career bridging the gap between human emotions and technology. Today, as Deputy CEO at Smart Eye and founder of the ethical AI venture fund Blue Tulip, she continues to champion a more empathetic, inclusive, and human-centered approach to innovation.

Together, they explore:

• Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever in today’s AI-driven world
• How leaders can foster trust, diversity, and belonging through empathy
• What it means to be a humanist in a digital age

Rana’s story is one of bold vision, resilience, and a deep belief in technology as a force for good.

🎧 Tune in for a conversation that will inspire you to lead with both head and heart.

You might also enjoy these episodes:

• Finding meaning in your work (with Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO): https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/8966432-finding-meaning-in-your-work-with-satya-nadella-microsoft-ceo
• Empowering people with AI (with Kevin Scott): https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14764673-empowering-people-with-ai-with-kevin-scott
• Optimizing your performance with emotional intelligence (with Daniel Goleman): https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14940410-optimizing-your-performance-with-emotional-intelligence-with-daniel-goleman

One shot, Long Life! is a podcast focused on The Global Health Advocacy Incubator's...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

This episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast is truly special—for two reasons.

First, Microsoft is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of innovation, transformation, and leadership in the tech industry.

Second, on a personal level, this milestone resonates deeply with me. Having spent 40 years at Microsoft, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible journey of this company, the people who shaped it, and the leadership lessons that continue to inspire me today.

To mark the occasion, I am honored to welcome Steve Ballmer—a true legend, former CEO of Microsoft, and one of the most passionate, energetic leaders I’ve ever had the chance to work with.

In this episode, Steve shares:
✅ His first encounter with Bill Gates and the early days of Microsoft
✅ The legendary IBM-MS-DOS deal that changed everything
✅ What it was like leading one of the world’s most influential companies
✅ His transition to owning the LA Clippers and his vision for social impact in the U.S.

Expect a conversation full of energy, laughter, and powerful insights on leadership, resilience, and the future of technology.

🎧 Don’t miss this special episode!

I also encourage you to (re)discover those past great episodes:

• Finding meaning in your work (with Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO): https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/8966432-finding-meaning-in-your-work-with-satya-nadella-microsoft-ceo
• Unlocking the Secrets to Leading Across Borders (with Erin Meyer): https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/16477213-unlocking-the-secrets-to-leading-across-borders-with-erin-meyer
• I’m Michelin: making every individual matter (with Florent Menegaux): https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/16252992-i-m-michelin-making-every-individual-matter-with-florent-menegaux

One shot, Long Life! is a podcast focused on The Global Health Advocacy Incubator's...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

Dans cet épisode, je reçois Natacha Calestrémé, écrivaine, réalisatrice et experte en bien-être émotionnel et énergétique. Son livre La Clé de votre énergie a aidé des milliers de personnes à surmonter leurs blocages émotionnels et à retrouver leur alignement personnel et professionnel.

🔎 Au programme :
✔️ Pourquoi notre énergie influence nos décisions et nos relations
✔️ Comment les émotions non exprimées impactent notre entourage
✔️ L’importance de l’attention et de la concentration dans notre bien-être
✔️ L’intelligence émotionnelle et son rôle clé dans un leadership positif
✔️ Des pratiques concrètes pour mieux gérer son stress et son énergie

🎧 Un épisode inspirant pour celles et ceux qui veulent mieux comprendre leur propre fonctionnement émotionnel et apprendre à utiliser leur énergie pour avoir un impact positif.

📌 Épisodes recommandés pour approfondir ces sujets :

• Optimizing your performance with emotional intelligence (with Daniel Goleman) : https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14940410-optimizing-your-performance-with-emotional-intelligence-with-daniel-goleman
• Improving your focus (with Dandapani) : https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/12989229-improving-your-focus-with-dandapani
  
  

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

What if the biggest overlooked global health challenge was something as simple as… vision?

In this episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, we sit down with James Chen, a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and global changemaker on a mission to provide vision correction to over a billion people who need it. Through his groundbreaking Clearly campaign and the Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation, James has pioneered an approach he calls moonshot philanthropy—taking bold risks to solve pressing social issues, with a focus on education and sight.

James’s story is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, proving that vision—both literal and metaphorical—can change the world.

📌 Want more insights on bold leadership and impact? Check out these episodes:

• Laurence Tubiana – The Courage to Drive Change: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/16090358-fr-le-courage-du-changement-avec-laurence-tubiana
• Fred Swaniker – Developing the Next Generation of African Leaders: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/15271706-developing-the-next-generation-of-african-leaders-with-fred-swaniker
• Jacqueline Novogratz – Investing in Change Through Patient Capital: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14404175-building-a-better-world-together-with-jacqueline-novogratz

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

Curiosity is more than just asking questions—it’s a mindset that can break barriers, foster empathy, and fuel innovation. In this episode of the Positive Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Scott Shigeoka, a leading expert on curiosity and the author of Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World.

Scott shares how deep curiosity can help us connect with others across differences, navigate uncertainty with resilience, and unlock new opportunities for growth—both in leadership and in life. From personal stories to practical tools, this conversation will inspire you to cultivate curiosity as a leadership superpower.

🚀 Want more insights on transformational leadership? Don’t miss these episodes:
🎙 Dorie Clark on long-term thinking and reinvention: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/15190709-reinventing-yourself-with-dorie-clark

🎙 Daniel Goleman on emotional intelligence and leadership: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/14940410-optimizing-your-performance-with-emotional-intelligence-with-daniel-goleman

🎙 Laurence Tubiana on shaping global change: https://thepositiveleadershippodcast.buzzsprout.com/1798971/episodes/16090358-fr-le-courage-du-changement-avec-laurence-tubiana

One shot, Long Life! is a podcast focused on The Global Health Advocacy Incubator's...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/

What does it mean to be an engaged citizen and a positive leader? Eric Liu, CEO of Citizen University, has dedicated his career to answering this question. Through his work, he empowers individuals to embrace civic leadership, take action, and shape a stronger, more inclusive democracy.

In this episode, Eric shares how leadership isn’t just about positions of power—it’s about participation, influence, and impact. He explores how everyday actions can foster a culture of engagement, why citizenship is a muscle we must exercise, and what leaders can do to inspire civic responsibility in their communities.

Listen to this insightful conversation with JP and discover how you, too, can lead with purpose and engagement. For more leadership wisdom, revisit these inspiring episodes:

🎙 Daniel Goleman – The power of emotional intelligence in leadership: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/14123019

🎙 Hannah Ritchie – Data-driven optimism for a sustainable future: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/15534568

🎙 Laurence Tubiana – Leading the fight against climate change: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971/15270149

Subscribe now to JP's free monthly newsletter "Positive Leadership and You" on LinkedIn to transform your positive impact today: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/positive-leadership-you-6970390170017669121/