Meet the Leader

Executive coaches share how promotions really happen - and what's needed to tackle the gender gap

22 nov 2023

 • 50 minutes

Executive coaches Mitzi Short and Lori Marcus share a tactical approach to careers and promotions to help women get their work noticed while eliminating gender bias in the workplace. These coaches, two of the 6 members of Band of Sisters (a group of former executives turned authors and speakers), discuss the the block and tackle of promotions: what experiences you must have on your CV for C-Suite roles; what development conversations you should be having with your boss (or your direct reports); and if you’re a male leader, how you can be a better sponsor across your organization to help position women and people of color for leadership positions and opportunity.

Executive coaches Mitzi Short and Lori Marcus share a tactical approach to careers and promotions to help women get their work noticed while eliminating gender bias in the workplace. These coaches, two of the 6 members of Band of Sisters (a group of former executives turned authors and speakers), discuss the the block and tackle of promotions: what experiences you must have on your CV for C-Suite roles; what development conversations you should be having with your boss (or your direct reports); and if you’re a male leader, how you can be a better sponsor across your organization to help position women and people of color for leadership positions and opportunity.

What an astronaut can teach leaders about collaboration and aiming high

10 nov 2023

 • 13 minutes

Mathias Maurer, an astronaut for the European Space Agency, returned from his first space mission in May 2022 after 177 days living and working on the International Space Station (ISS). There he helped to conduct more than 35 experiments benefiting biology and robotics and more - an experience that drove home the need to protect space and maximize its potential. He spoke with Meet The Leader at the Annual Meeting in Davos about his experience, sharing what’s needed for collaboration to balance a growing space economy and the need for stronger space governance. He also shared what his degrees in engineering and economics have tight him about problem solving - and what his astronaut’s training can teach any of us about collaboration - and tackling climate action.

Mathias Maurer, an astronaut for the European Space Agency, returned from his first space mission in May 2022 after 177 days living and working on the International Space Station (ISS). There he helped to conduct more than 35 experiments benefiting biology and robotics and more - an experience that drove home the need to protect space and maximize its potential. He spoke with Meet The Leader at the Annual Meeting in Davos about his experience, sharing what’s needed for collaboration to balance a growing space economy and the need for stronger space governance. He also shared what his degrees in engineering and economics have tight him about problem solving - and what his astronaut’s training can teach any of us about collaboration - and tackling climate action.

How leaders can better manage change, fear, layoffs and more: Culture Amp CEO

5 nov 2023

 • 44 minutes

How can leaders best navigate layoffs -- and rebuild for the future? Melbourne-based software firm Culture Amp recently conducted research on this question -- and then unexpectedly faced cuts of its own. CEO Didier Elzinga shares insights from the research and his applied experience, including common myths, surprising findings, and strategies his firm used to recalibrate and reprioritize. He also shared the tough realities leaders must keep in mind during times of change as well as his thoughts on how leaders can better protect healthy cultures at any time. He also shares his lessons learned from his previous career in visual effects - and how storytelling insights from those days help him manage change as a leader today.

How can leaders best navigate layoffs -- and rebuild for the future? Melbourne-based software firm Culture Amp recently conducted research on this question -- and then unexpectedly faced cuts of its own. CEO Didier Elzinga shares insights from the research and his applied experience, including common myths, surprising findings, and strategies his firm used to recalibrate and reprioritize. He also shared the tough realities leaders must keep in mind during times of change as well as his thoughts on how leaders can better protect healthy cultures at any time. He also shares his lessons learned from his previous career in visual effects - and how storytelling insights from those days help him manage change as a leader today.

Reach your changemakers: Arctic Basecamp's Gail Whiteman and Rainn Wilson

27 oct 2023

 • 25 minutes

Melting arctic ice will have knock-on effects around the globe, impacting farms, homes, livelihoods and more. But making people care about the Arctic and things they'll likely never see firsthand - can be almost impossible. Unless you get creative, that is. Arctic Basecamp (a group of arctic experts and scientists), has found a range of creative ways build to awareness, including: a special basecamp during Davos (where visitors can learn the latest research by day and some spend the night like polar researchers in below zero temperatures), attention-getting apps, and ice cream booths that drive home the fact the survival of our favorite foods might be fleeting and vulnerable to climate change. There's even a new metaverse experience developed with Accenture on Polar Tipping Points (as part of the World Economic Forum's larger Global Collaboration Village). Meet the Leader talked with founder Gail Whiteman and board member, activist and actor Rainn Wilson about how they strategically "speak science to power," to grab the attention of changemakers from grassroots activists to heads of state. They also discuss how they target and connect with a 'moveable middle" a segment of the population open to change and willing to consider new ideas and approaches.

Melting arctic ice will have knock-on effects around the globe, impacting farms, homes, livelihoods and more. But making people care about the Arctic and things they'll likely never see firsthand - can be almost impossible. Unless you get creative, that is. Arctic Basecamp (a group of arctic experts and scientists), has found a range of creative ways build to awareness, including: a special basecamp during Davos (where visitors can learn the latest research by day and some spend the night like polar researchers in below zero temperatures), attention-getting apps, and ice cream booths that drive home the fact the survival of our favorite foods might be fleeting and vulnerable to climate change. There's even a new metaverse experience developed with Accenture on Polar Tipping Points (as part of the World Economic Forum's larger Global Collaboration Village). Meet the Leader talked with founder Gail Whiteman and board member, activist and actor Rainn Wilson about how they strategically "speak science to power," to grab the attention of changemakers from grassroots activists to heads of state. They also discuss how they target and connect with a 'moveable middle" a segment of the population open to change and willing to consider new ideas and approaches.

Rally others to your cause: former trial lawyer, Baptist minister (and United Way CEO) explains how

19 oct 2023

 • 15 minutes

Angela Williams, the first black female CEO of one of the largest privately-funded global non-profits, discusses the experiences that helped her learn how to be a better advocate for others. These experiences range from a father who served in the NAACP tackling civil rights in 1960s South Carolina, to her own life journey serving as a trial lawyer, a Baptist minister and in the military during Operation Desert Storm. She’ll explain what she’s learned about partnering and rallying others for a cause - and what every leader must know about engaging others and getting your point across.

Angela Williams, the first black female CEO of one of the largest privately-funded global non-profits, discusses the experiences that helped her learn how to be a better advocate for others. These experiences range from a father who served in the NAACP tackling civil rights in 1960s South Carolina, to her own life journey serving as a trial lawyer, a Baptist minister and in the military during Operation Desert Storm. She’ll explain what she’s learned about partnering and rallying others for a cause - and what every leader must know about engaging others and getting your point across.