Joe Davis: The Power of Generous Leadership and Decisive Action

In this episode of The Circuit of Success, host Brett Gilliland sits down with Joe Davis, former Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), TED speaker, and author of The Generous Leader. Joe shares the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership journey—from personal hardships to career-defining mentorships—and how those experiences led him to champion resilience, empathy, and decisive leadership.

Joe spent 37 years with BCG, where he co-founded the Washington, D.C. office, launched BCG’s North American Public Sector business, led BCG North America, and founded and chaired BCG’s Center for Inclusion and Equity. In The Generous Leader, he reflects on a performance review that changed his perspective: he wasn’t the best problem-solver alone, but with others, he could tackle any challenge. His ability to connect with people became his greatest leadership asset. Joe earned his BA from Whitman College and an MBA from Harvard Business School and is currently serving his second term as Whitman’s Board Chair.

Brett and Joe dive into the value of “generous listening” and why truly hearing others is the key to effective leadership. Joe shares practical insights for leaders at all levels, from navigating high-stakes decisions to fostering genuine human connections in an increasingly digital world. He also opens up about his family life—his marriage of over 40 years to Sarah, their four children, and eight grandchildren—and how the deep sense of care and support in his personal life has influenced his leadership philosophy. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that will inspire you to lead with authenticity, resilience, and generosity.

📩 Connect with Joe Davis: joedavistgl@gmail.com

Watch the Full Episode Here!