Wisdom From The Top with Guy Raz

Former Walgreens CEO, Greg Wasson, shares his journey from pharmacist to CEO, discussing strategic decisions, challenges, and acquisitions. He reflects on personal risks, leadership qualities, and balancing charisma with humility in leadership.

Former marine engineer turned President of Financial Services at Capital One, Sanjiv Yajnik, shares his inspiring journey from the seas to the boardroom. Topics include risk-taking, career transitions, leadership during crises, and building a values-based company culture.

Marvin Ellison, a Black CEO, shares his inspiring journey from security guard to leading Fortune 500 companies. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, motivation, and accepting failure for success. Explore his leadership insights and strategies for navigating challenging transitions in retail giants.

Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism and Effortless, discusses prioritizing what's truly important in life, making deliberate choices, and embracing trade-offs for success. He shares insights on efficiency, negotiation, and redefining success, offering a framework for making impactful decisions in both personal and professional realms.

Leadership expert Bill George, ex-CEO of Medtronic, discusses his journey from corporate CEO to academic leadership, emphasizing empowerment over exerting power. He shares insights on innovative medical breakthroughs at Medtronic and the importance of navigating crises through financial resilience. The conversation also touches on the changing landscape of workforce expectations, societal challenges, and the impact of authentic leadership.

John Acuff, author and speaker, discusses the surprising solution to overthinking in his book 'Soundtracks'. He explores the impact of setting fun goals, embracing humor in communication, and breaking negative thinking patterns. The conversation touches on leadership development, mastering tasks, and the journey towards success.

David Novak, co-founder of YUM! Brands Inc., shares insights on inclusive leadership, empowering employees, recognizing contributions, and the rise and fall of Crystal Pepsi. He discusses transforming company culture, leadership training, and his philanthropic endeavors.

Former Avon CEO and current CEO of Grameen America, Andrea Jung, discusses the importance of failing forward, taking risks, and learning from challenges. She shares insights on empowering women entrepreneurs, navigating business obstacles, and reinventing leadership strategies for success.

Author Morten Hansen, in an engaging conversation with Guy Raz, discusses how top performers achieve more by working less. They explore the myth of overwork equating to excellence, emphasizing the importance of setting limits and focusing on essential tasks. Hansen's research findings on performance efficiency over long hours are thought-provoking, challenging traditional work norms for success.

Author and consultant Maria Ross discusses how empathy can be a successful business strategy, not just a moral act. She highlights the importance of empathy in leadership, problem-solving, and fostering collaboration. The podcast explores examples of organizations implementing empathy for innovation and profitability, and the significance of transparent communication and understanding customer needs for long-term success.