Rethinking Efficiency: Emphasizing Human Agency and Effectiveness

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Today on the podcast, we welcome Faisal Hoque, author, entrepreneur, and thinker behind Transcend. With over 10 books and years of business leadership, Faisal shares how life, purpose, and challenges have shaped his journey of learning, growth, and helping others.

Known for books like Everything Connects and Transcend, Faisal blends Eastern wisdom with modern leadership. He’s worked with global firms, led startups, and speaks widely on purpose, resilience, and human-centered innovation.

In this episode, we talk about Faisal’s journey of self-growth and leadership, exploring how unlearning, flow states, and personal purpose can reshape how we lead, work, and grow in today’s fast-moving world.

Faisal Hoque is Founder and Managing Partner at Shadoka and NextChapter, Strategic Partner at CACI International Inc., and a Judge and Mentor at MIT. He’s also an investor, board member, and former CEO across various tech and business ventures. A contributor to Fast Company and IMD, he was shortlisted for the 2023 Thinkers50 Distinguished Achievement Award. Faisal is also a public speaker and former Chair of Research and Education at Altea Federation, as well as ex-Product Manager and CTO at GE Capital and Dun & Bradstreet.

Key Takeaways:

• Unlearning past beliefs helps us grow and adapt in a changing world.
• True purpose comes from small daily actions, not big goals.
• Flow, gratitude, and reflection can boost personal and work life.

Additional Insights:

• Let go of chasing success and focus on work that feels meaningful.
• Use reflection, meditation, and learning to stay sharp and inspired every day.

Join Faisal Hoque as he shares how purpose, reflection, and human connection can guide us to grow and lead in today’s fast-changing world.

Episode Highlights:

[01:00] - Episode Recap

"Faisal Hoque joins the show to talk about purpose, self-actualization, and how life’s challenges shape our leadership."

[01:34] - Guest Introduction: Faisal Hoque

"Faisal is a tech entrepreneur and author of Transcend, blending neuroscience, leadership, and personal growth."

[03:13] - Early Startups and Key Life Lessons

"My second startup failed despite big clients, then I bootstrapped my next one and wrote my first book."

[04:30] - Eastern Roots and the Search for Meaning

"Trips to Japan reconnected me with Eastern philosophy and sparked the idea for Everything Connects."

[06:01] - Redefining Self-Actualization with Purpose

"After life’s ups and downs, I began to ask: What does real success and impact look like for me now?"

[08:13] - Finding Fulfillment in Small Daily Actions

"It’s not about changing the world, it’s about helping one person and finding joy in the process."

[11:02] - The Paradox of Purpose and People in Work

"Mission statements often miss the mark, leaders must connect goals to individual purpose to inspire teams."

[14:08] - Building Regenerative and Connected Cultures

"Good leadership means creating space where people can grow, connect, and even leave to find their calling."

[18:18] - Writing, Reinvention, and Radical Openness

"Writing helps me unlearn and grow. Being open to ideas I disagree with pushes me out of my comfort zone."

[23:30] - Meditation, AI Tools, and Personal Growth

"Daily meditation and tech experiments help me reflect, stay grounded, and find new ways to improve."

[30:01] - Finding Ideas from Life and Observation

"Inspiration comes from watching the world, and writing weekly helps me reflect on change and uncertainty."

[32:51] - Focus on Effectiveness, Not Just Efficiency

"Instead of chasing speed, we must use tech to stay human, be thoughtful, and lift each other up."

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LinkedIn Accounts: 

• Faisal Hoque: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faisalhoque/ 
• NextChapter: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextchapterorg/ 
• Shadoka: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shadoka/ 
• CACI International Inc: https://www.linkedin.com/company/caci-international-inc/ 
• MIT: https://www.linkedin.com/school/mit/ 
• Fast Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fast-company/ 
• IMD: https://www.linkedin.com/school/imd-business-school/ 
• Altea Federation: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alteafederation/ 
• GE Capital: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gecapital/ 
• Dun & Broadsheet: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dun-&-bradstreet/ 

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